The European Union, in collaboration with Germany and Denmark, has unveiled ambitious new plans to accelerate Nigeria's digital transformation, marking a significant step in a nationwide initiative now reaching Kano.
Expanding the Digital Frontier to Northern Nigeria
Stakeholders from government, academia, and the tech ecosystem gathered in Kano for the fifth Project Steering Committee meeting of the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria. The event also featured the official launch of the Women Venture Studio Innovation Hub, a dedicated space to foster female entrepreneurship in the digital sector.
Inga Stefanowicz, the EU’s Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy, emphasized the critical need for a truly national digital conversation. "We do not want this Steering Committee to remain only in Abuja," she stated. "That is why we have taken it across the country, from Lagos to Ibadan and now Kano. It is important to recognise the digital transformation happening here in the north alongside progress in other regions of Nigeria."
Massive Funding and Concrete Achievements
Stefanowicz confirmed that this project is a key part of a broader EU digital cooperation package valued at 820 million euros. She announced that by 2025, an additional 45 million euros will be deployed to bolster several key areas. This funding will support ICT training under the popular 3MTT initiative, expand nationwide fibre optic connectivity, and advance the country's digital public infrastructure.
Reflecting on the journey so far, she noted, "It has been three years of project implementation. This was the first step. There is still progress ahead." The results from this first phase are already substantial. The Digital Transformation Centre has successfully provided training and support to more than 5,300 Nigerians, a figure that includes 2,060 women and 795 persons with disabilities.
Building an Inclusive Digital Future
Beyond individual training, the programme's impact extends to the broader economy. To date, 40 start ups and MSMEs have received crucial innovation support. Furthermore, policy initiatives actively being rolled out in four states are making headway in reducing the digital gender gap. The programme is also piloting digital vouchers to help more individuals and small businesses access essential technology.
Representing the Director General of NITDA, Dr. Ahmed Yusuf Tambuwal, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, described the Kano discussions as constructive. "We are here to review progress and to chart the way ahead," he said. "We have identified gaps and aligned priorities. Inclusion remains a commitment. We want a digital economy that works for everyone, especially women and persons with disabilities."
Dr. Victor Odumiuwa from the NITDA IT Hub highlighted the positive ripple effects within academia, noting that the support has helped scale innovation within Nigerian universities.
Looking forward, stakeholders have agreed on clear objectives for the next phase. These include training an additional 5,800 young people, expanding green and digital skills programmes, and scaling successful interventions like mentorship, job market integration, and the digital voucher system.
