By Naeemah Junaid
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Platform (YEIP), describing it as a strategic intervention poised to accelerate innovation and strengthen youth-led enterprises across Nigeria and the wider African continent.
Welcoming the YEIP delegation to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, praised the initiative, noting its alignment with Nigeria’s digital economy agenda and the Federal Government’s broader strategy to diversify the economy beyond oil through digital exports and foreign direct investment.
The DG said, “This is the perfect moment for YEIP’s entry. As Nigeria positions itself as a hub for digital exports and seeks to attract international investors, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) must collaborate more closely with innovation-driven start-ups. Technology serves as the bridge between these sectors, and YEIP is well placed to maximise this opportunity.”
Inuwa emphasised that MSMEs are not only the backbone of Nigeria’s economy but also a vital component of the innovation pipeline. He noted that, when adequately supported with technology, capacity-building and access to finance, MSMEs have the potential to evolve into globally competitive businesses capable of generating employment and stimulating economic growth.
The NITDA boss further highlighted the Agency’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and women-led MSMEs, describing them as essential to building a sustainable innovation ecosystem. He noted that NITDA has already launched several initiatives aimed at women-owned enterprises, with the goal of enhancing digital literacy, market access and participation in the technology sector.
“We have introduced targeted initiatives for women-led MSMEs—not to duplicate the mandate of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), but because without strengthening this foundation, the innovation ecosystem cannot flourish,” Inuwa explained. “YEIP’s intervention is therefore both timely and impactful, complementing our efforts to create a more inclusive digital economy.”
He added that NITDA is open to collaboration with YEIP in areas such as policy support, start-up pipeline development and co-creating programmes that will nurture young innovators, particularly those in underserved communities.
Leading the delegation, YEIP Country Lead, Surayya Ahmad described the platform as a pan-African initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB), designed to support youth-driven businesses across key sectors. Already operational in Liberia, YEIP is set to expand into Tunisia, Rwanda, Kenya and Egypt.
“Our mandate is to equip Africa’s growing youth population with access to finance, technical assistance and entrepreneurial resources,” Ahmad said. “YEIP aims to close the funding gap by making youth-led start-ups and MSMEs more bankable. With a capitalisation target of $300 million—including $100 million anchored by Nigeria’s Federal Government—the platform will provide equity, credit guarantees and ecosystem development support.”
She added that YEIP’s scope extends beyond digital and creative industries to include agriculture, trade and manufacturing. “Our goal is to make early-stage businesses attractive to investors. This goes beyond financing—we are providing technical support, capacity-building and forging partnerships with agencies like NITDA that act as digital enablers,” Ahmad stated.
She also underscored NITDA’s pivotal role in YEIP’s implementation, particularly in policy alignment, start-up pipeline development and ecosystem support. “NITDA is not only the Startup Act secretariat but also a leader in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation. We regard NITDA as a central partner in YEIP’s journey,” she concluded.
