Pantami Unveils Packages for Start-Ups as Nigerian Innovator Secures $10m Deal at GITEX2022

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has restated the commitment of the Federal Government towards nurturing the growth of infant start-ups in Nigeria’s Information, Technology and Communication, ICT, sector.

He gave the assurance after inaugurating an exhibition pavilion for Nigerian tech innovators and foreign visitors, at the ‘2022 Gulf Information Technology Exhibition’ (GITEX), which began in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, UAE, on Monday.

This is just as a Nigerian tech firm participating in the five-day long GITEX event secured an investment deal worth N10 million US dollars, on the first day of the global exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

According to Pantami, the federal government, under President Muhammadu Buhari, appreciates the outstanding exploits of start-ups in the country, which are helping to create jobs, and fast-track economic development.

In Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and even Kastina State, there are hundreds of young ICT innovators and start-ups with 150 and 200 employees in their payroll, he said.

“This is why we established a Presidential Council on Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

“By the time the Council is fully inaugurated, start-ups in Nigeria will be offered tax holidays, seed funding, and get other special incentives.

“There is also the aspect of the intellectual property right, among other support packages the government will shower them,” he said.

To address the challenges facing start-ups in the country, Pantami said his Ministry came up with an Executive Bill called the Nigerian Start-Up Bill, describing it as one of the legacies the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will bequeathe.

The Minister, who broke the news of the multi-million naira investment deal secured by a Nigerian start-up at the GITEX event, said he was impressed with the quality of ICT products Nigerian tech inventors are showcasing at the ongoing GITEX.

“I have interacted with several Nigerian start-ups here. And they have top-notch products to exhibit. Our start-ups are adding value to Nigeria’s economy. So, there is the need for us to support them to grow”.