The Nigerian government has launched the Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk, aimed at boosting the country’s technology exports and enhancing the sector’s contribution to the national economy. This initiative was announced by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, in a LinkedIn post. He emphasized that the Desk represents a major step toward improving the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
This launch follows the ministry’s recent trade mission to the United States, which highlighted the importance of strategic dialogue to further Nigeria’s technological aspirations. Tijani noted that the Trade Desk is a critical element in the effort to increase the technology sector’s contribution to the national GDP, with a target to raise it from the current 14-18% to 21% within the next three years.
The Desk is being rolled out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and it aligns with the ministry’s strategic goal of boosting trade, as laid out in its fifth pillar. Tijani also highlighted that the initiative would improve Nigeria’s position on the Economic Complexity Index and diversify the country’s trade, helping to secure a more prominent role in the global digital economy.
A key objective of the Trade Desk is to promote Nigerian tech exports and provide tailored support to local companies seeking to access markets not only across Africa but globally. This is part of a broader effort to support the Nigerian government’s vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy through innovation, investment, and international trade.
Additionally, Tijani revealed that the initiative aims to increase annual funding for Nigerian startups from $1 billion to $5 billion over the next three years. This funding boost is expected to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s tech industry.
In further efforts to operationalize the initiative, the government has released a white paper titled “Growing the Contribution of the Technology Ecosystem to Nigeria’s GDP—A Case for the Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk.” This document outlines a detailed plan for the desk’s implementation and invites feedback from stakeholders.
The Trade Desk will offer a comprehensive range of programs, partnerships, and policy interventions designed to help local tech companies compete internationally. By providing these resources, the initiative seeks to address challenges and unlock opportunities for Nigerian technology firms on the global stage.
Ultimately, the launch of the Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk reflects Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen its technology sector, improve economic diversification, and foster sustainable growth through innovation and global trade partnerships.
