The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, part of the UK government initiative, has assisted 168 tech-enabled Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) and engaged with 55 investors since its establishment.
During a workshop organised by the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, Director Oyinkan Akintola-Bello highlighted the hub’s role in stimulating local digital economies, sustainable growth, and job creation since its launch in 2019.
Focused on supporting SMEs, the hub works to build high-end digital skills, forge innovation partnerships, and find solutions to local development challenges. It prioritises inclusivity, targeting women, marginalised youth, and people with disabilities.
Collaborating with Google for Startups, the hub has awarded three million dollars in cloud credit infrastructure to female technology founders. It also plans to equip 1,700 individuals, including 680 women, with technical skills in software development through the DevCareer Tech Programme.
In the future, the hub aims to strengthen the tech ecosystem’s capacity for self-regulation and policy development, aid economic growth, and expand the pool of intermediate to advanced talents available to the ecosystem.
The UK Government’s Digital Access Programme (DAP), initiated to bridge the digital divide, aims to catalyse inclusive, affordable, and secure digital access in Nigeria. It promotes digital ecosystems, stimulates innovations, and creates local skilled jobs.
Through the Digital Development Strategy (DDS) 2024-2030, the UK Government plans to achieve digital transformation, inclusion, responsibility, and sustainability objectives in Nigeria. This includes catalysing the economy through digital technologies, ensuring no one is left behind, creating an enabling environment, and harnessing digital technologies to support climate change and environmental goals.
Looking ahead, the Department for Business and Trade aims to support tech unicorns’ access to global capital markets, facilitate listings and capital raises for established Nigerian tech companies, promote technical partnerships, and raise awareness of cybersecurity solutions and benefits.
