Aligning with the current administration’s focus on diversifying the economy through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, and manufacturing, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative and arts industry through targeted digital initiatives, enabling regulations, and strategic infrastructure development aimed at unlocking the sector’s full economic potential.

Speaking at Moment 2026, Africa’s Largest Convergence of Creators, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, emphasised that the Agency is focused on building a technology-driven ecosystem where creators can thrive, innovate, and compete globally.

Highlighting the growing importance of the sector, the DG, who was represented by the Director of the DG’s Office, Dr Ayodeji Eniola, noted that Nigeria’s creative industry, currently valued at over $9 billion, could exceed $13 billion in the coming years with the right support systems in place.

“Nigeria has always been a nation of storytellers, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and innovators. What is remarkable today is that this creativity has evolved beyond cultural expression to become a powerful economic force.”

He said that at the heart of NITDA’s interventions is digital talent development and mentioned that through flagship programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, the Agency is equipping young Nigerians with critical skills in animation, visual effects, game development, and digital media, ensuring they are prepared for emerging opportunities in the global creator economy.

The DG stressed that the intersection of creativity and technology is central to the future of the industry.

“Today, creativity is powered by connectivity, computing power, digital platforms, and data. A smartphone, a laptop, and access to the internet can enable a young Nigerian to reach millions of people around the world.”

To support this transformation, Inuwa stated that NITDA is driving the development of key digital infrastructure, including the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, which provides secure, scalable local computing resources for creators and digital entrepreneurs.

He also noted the Agency is supporting national broadband expansion efforts, such as Project BRIDGE, to improve connectivity and expand participation in the digital economy.

In addition to infrastructure, Inuwa disclosed that NITDA continues to strengthen regulatory frameworks that promote cybersecurity, data protection, and digital trust, critical elements for safeguarding creators’ intellectual property and ensuring safe participation in online ecosystems.

He announced that the Agency is also leveraging emerging technologies to position Nigeria at the forefront of innovation in the creative space. Through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), he added that NITDA is advancing research and capacity building in artificial intelligence, enabling creators to integrate cutting-edge tools into content production and digital storytelling.

Reinforcing the broader national vision and calling on young creators to recognise the economic and global significance of their work, the DG said, “Your creativity is not just entertainment. It is innovation, intellectual property, economic opportunity, and national influence.”

He reiterated that the Agency will continue to implement policies, develop infrastructure, and foster innovation ecosystems that empower Nigeria’s creative sector to grow sustainably, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic diversification agenda.

In a move to reaffirm his commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, UBA Group and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has announced 3,200 beneficiaries for the 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

Tony Elumelu

The announcement, made in Abuja, coincides with the philanthropist’s annual reflection on impact, purpose, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship across the African continent.

In his annual letter, Elumelu emphasised that opportunity and prosperity can be intentionally created and scaled, saying, “Hope is not just a feeling, it is a system we can build”. This underscores his long-standing belief in Africapitalism, the philosophy that Africa’s private sector must drive economic and social development.

This year’s cohort of 3,200 young entrepreneurs, selected from across all 54 African countries, will each receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, alongside access to mentorship, business training, and TEF’s proprietary digital platform, TEFConnect.

Highlighting the programme’s growing impact, Elumelu noted that the Foundation has now disbursed over $100 million in funding to more than 24,000 African entrepreneurs since its inception. The programme continues to demonstrate strong outcomes, with 80 per cent of supported businesses scaling beyond the early stage, significantly outperforming global averages.

Collectively, TEF-supported entrepreneurs have generated over $4.2 billion in revenue, created 1.5 million jobs, and lifted more than 2.1 million Africans out of poverty, impacting over four million households across the continent.

A notable feature of this year’s selection is the strong representation of women, who account for 51 per cent of the cohort. According to Elumelu, this reflects merit-based selection and highlights the increasing leadership of African women in entrepreneurship. “When opportunity is accessible, African women do not simply participate, they lead.”

Reflecting on the Foundation’s journey since its launch in 2010, Elumelu reiterated the vision to democratise opportunity and scale impact across Africa by investing in its most valuable resource, which is its people. He also expressed gratitude to partners, mentors, and stakeholders who continue to support the Foundation’s mission of building a self-sustaining Africa.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries. Through its flagship Entrepreneurship Programme, TEF provides training, mentorship, funding, and access to networks, driving inclusive economic growth and transforming Africa’s development narrative from aid to investment and partnership.

Entrepreneurs backed by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) have generated more than $4.2 billion in cumulative revenue since the organisation began its grant programme in 2015, according to Somachi Chris-Asoluka, chief executive officer of the foundation.

Chris-Asoluka, revealed this during a virtual media briefing, where she also stated that over $100 million has been distributed to nearly 24,000 young entrepreneurs across Africa.

She noted that the beneficiaries of the programme have gone on to create about 1.5 million jobs, both directly and indirectly, across various sectors of the continent’s economy.

The performance, she said, has strengthened the resolve of the foundation and its partners to scale up financial support for emerging businesses.

Chris-Asoluka emphasised that the foundation’s interventions are anchored on the conviction that entrepreneurship is central to reducing poverty and reshaping Africa’s economic future.

She explained that selected participants receive a $5,000 seed capital grant, in addition to structured business training and mentorship designed to help them either expand existing enterprises or establish new ones.

Highlighting operational challenges faced by entrepreneurs, she identified inadequate electricity supply as a major constraint.

According to her, many small businesses spend as much as 60 per cent of their earnings on alternative power solutions, including generators and inverters.

To mitigate this challenge, she disclosed that Tony Elumelu, TEF founder, alongside the foundation’s leadership, has been engaging governments across Africa on the urgent need to improve power infrastructure.

She further stated that investments by programme beneficiaries cut across critical sectors such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and technology innovation.

Chris-Asoluka also announced that the foundation’s 2026 cohort of entrepreneurs will be formally unveiled by Elumelu in Abuja.