The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has urged African nations to move beyond consuming technology and begin creating and exporting digital solutions to the world.
Delivering a keynote address at the African Creators Conference 2025 in Abuja—represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, NITDA’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships—Inuwa spoke on the theme, “The Future of Africa in the Global Digital Economy.”
He stressed that Africa’s youthful population, creativity, and digital fluency position the continent to become a global hub for innovation. “Our innovators and creators should take their rightful place as global leaders and solution providers,” he said.
With a population of over 1.4 billion people—more than 60% under the age of 25—Inuwa noted that Africa stands at a pivotal moment in shaping its digital future. “Our young people, with their creativity, energy, and mastery of digital tools, are uniquely positioned to drive the continent’s technological transformation,” he added.
Citing Nigeria’s progress in digital development, the NITDA boss highlighted key milestones: more than 126 million internet users, over 205 million mobile subscriptions, and landmark initiatives including the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, the Nigeria Startup Act, and NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0. He said these policies aim to reposition Nigeria as a producer and exporter of digital innovation.
Inuwa also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration through frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), advocating for harmonised policies and strategic infrastructure investments to unlock trillions of dollars in potential value across Africa’s digital economy.
Concluding his address, he charged stakeholders to rise to the challenge of building a digitally empowered Africa. “The choices we make today will determine whether Africa remains on the margins or takes its rightful place at the centre of global digital transformation,” he declared.
The African Creators Conference 2025 drew more than 3,000 creators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the continent, serving as a platform to explore how artificial intelligence and digital creativity can fuel economic growth and foster cross-border collaboration.
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