Govt launches search for Nigerian ICT start-ups ‘with innovative solutions’

The Federal Government’s Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE) has launched a search for ICT start-ups with innovative solutions that can address a variety of challenges confronting Nigeria.

OIIE, which is under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the ICT industry regulatory agency, says innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have been identified as critical to achieving sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

In a bid to promote ICT start-ups, OIIE says it is asking for applications to pitch from ICT start-ups with innovative solutions.

Tech entrepreneurs can send their pitches via the OIIE’s website till December 31. 2015, the government agency says.

Established under NITDA, the OIIE is charged with the responsibilities of continuing to nurture, cultivate and expand the ICT innovation and entrepreneurship within Nigeria in line with National ICT Policy and NITDA Act 2007.

The Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship has the mandate to drive programmes and policies that support innovation in ICT development such as innovation-based entrepreneurship and innovation clusters.

Its mandate extends to developing, establishing and supporting ICT innovation hubs, information technology parks, community enterprise hubs across Nigeria.

OIIE is to implement, monitor and revise guidelines for setting up of information technology parks and incubation centres across the country; collaborate with private sector, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at both Federal and State levels on policies and programs that support ICT entrepreneurship and commercialisation.

OIIE was also established to support the Federal and State MDAs in formulating and implementing ICT innovation and entrepreneurship programmes and render advisory services in all ICT innovation and entrepreneurship matters to the public and private sector.

The establishment of OIIE as a specialised and focus organisation is expected to address the challenges that are inhibiting the growth of entrepreneurs, as well as create enabling environments to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the country, according to the agency.

It is expected that through the initiatives and programmes of OIIE, there will be increased contribution of ICT to national GDP, more job and wealth creation.