Empowering Nigerian Women in Tech Could Add $13 Billion to the Economy – NITDA

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has said that closing the digital gender gap in Nigeria could unlock $13 billion in economic growth over the next 10 years.

Speaking at the opening of the 2nd IgniteHer Bootcamp in Abuja, Abdullahi stressed the need to empower women with digital skills and opportunities to fully participate in the country’s growing tech space.

“Nigeria’s female population is about 108 million. That’s nearly half the country. We can’t grow as a nation if we leave women behind,” he said.

According to him, giving more women access to technology, training, and digital tools will not only improve their lives but will also help grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) significantly.

The bootcamp, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to help Nigerian women build technical, business, and leadership skills. The event was attended by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman, and the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi.

Many Nigerian women still lack access to digital tools, the internet, and training.

With better support, they can become successful entrepreneurs, job creators, and problem-solvers.

Programs like IgniteHer help bridge the gap by offering training and support networks.

Abdullahi explained that the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) is designed to ensure that no woman is left behind in the digital economy. But for real change to happen, more investments, policies, and public support are needed.

“Women are not just business owners — they are changemakers,” he added. “But they face challenges like limited capital, lack of digital skills, and exclusion from networks.”

Japan’s Ambassador also reaffirmed support for Nigerian women, promising continued partnership in strengthening their business and digital capacity.