The National Information Technology Development Agency on Thursday partnered with KAOUN International to bring GITEX to Nigeria with the hope of generating $25m.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Abdullahi, and KAOUN International’s CEO, Trixie LohMirmand, during the ongoing GITEX Africa in Morocco.
While the date for GITEX Nigeria was not disclosed, people familiar with the matter told The PRIMANEWS that the event would take place in 2025 in Lagos
Abdullahi emphasised that hosting GITEX in Nigeria would mark a pivotal move to attract substantial trade and investments to the country.
He projected that the event could generate $25m in revenue within a matter of days.
“Bringing this platform to Nigeria will open doors for us to export our technology to the world. People will come to Nigeria and see what they have. Imagine having 20,000 to 50,000 people come to Nigeria to spend at least $500 each, that will likely be worth more than $25m in just a few days,” he expounded.
KAOUN International, the organizer of GITEX Global and GITEX Africa, will lead the endeavour in Nigeria.
The ongoing GITEX Africa, launched on Wednesday and running until Friday, features a diverse array of tech enterprises and start-ups, alongside over 350 prominent investors, 600 conference speakers, and participation from 100 government entities.
Abdullahi stated that the agency aimed to accelerate trade and economic diversification while driving productivity in critical sectors using technology.
“By leveraging IT, we can significantly boost productivity in other sectors, driving economic growth and development.
“Gitex Nigeria will offer a unique opportunity for the country to showcase its cutting-edge innovations on a global stage, paving the way for international trade and attracting potential investors to explore lucrative business opportunities.
“We are not planning to bring the same GITEX happening around the world. We want to bring a unique formula that aligns with the national strategy of Nigeria,” he explained.
According to Abdullahi, President Tinubu is big and loud on economic diversification and you cannot trade in isolation.
“The President has mandated us to facilitate parts of this diversification,” he said.
The Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, Trixie LohMirmand, welcomed the partnership with enthusiasm.
She emphasised the significance of boosting Nigerian startup participation in GITEX events, enabling them to explore AI, fintech, and healthcare opportunities.
This initiative supports Nigeria’s tech strategy and will connect Nigerian startups to regional and global platforms, fostering growth and innovation, LohMirmand remarked.
