…SMEs in Nigeria struggle to fully embrace digital solution — Flutterwave
By Blessing Emmanuel
On the speed of accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Africa’s leading payments technology company, Flutterwave, and ALAMI, a private firm dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs and SMEs in the tech and creative industries.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is set to revolutionise the country’s digital landscape and strengthen its economic backbone.
This partnership aligns with NITDA’s mission to implement the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the essential tools for thriving in an increasingly digital world.
The agreement was reached following a high-profile meeting between NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, Flutterwave’s CEO, Olugbenga Agboola, and Alami’s CEO, Ms. Olu White, aimed at advancing fintech innovation, digital literacy, and infrastructure development.
Speaking on the partnership, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasised the critical role of public-private collaboration in achieving Nigeria’s digital transformation goals.
He described Flutterwave’s fintech solutions as pivotal in tackling the slow digital adoption among SMEs, a major roadblock to economic progress.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to provide businesses with the resources and infrastructure needed to transition into the digital age,” he stated. He further stressed that NITDA’s engagement with private sector leaders like Flutterwave is essential in accelerating Nigeria’s shift towards a robust digital economy.
“This partnership is a vital step towards achieving shared goals for digital transformation, showcasing our commitment to the betterment of Nigeria in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Flutterwave’s CEO, Olugbenga Agboola, echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence in the partnership’s potential to empower Nigerian SMEs.
“Many small businesses in Nigeria struggle to fully embrace digital solutions. By providing seamless and secure payment technologies, we can help them scale with confidence. Our collaboration with NITDA reinforces our dedication to fostering a truly inclusive digital economy,” Agboola said.
The partnership will focus on key areas, including strengthening public-private collaboration through digital payment infrastructure and technology financing, organizing the Digital Nigeria Week 2025 to showcase fintech innovations, and supporting SMEs and startups through workshops, panel discussions, and strategic partnerships.
The MoU covers collaboration on NITDA’s core initiatives, such as NDEPS, the NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), innovation and entrepreneurship programs, digital literacy, and cybersecurity.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, underscoring NITDA’s dedication to building an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable digital future for all Nigerians.
By equipping businesses with the necessary tools to embrace digital solutions, this partnership is poised to drive economic growth, create jobs, and expand access to the benefits of a modern digital economy.