In 2025, Nigeria will host the world’s largest technology fair, GITEX, for the first time. The landmark event follows an MOU signed by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA’s Director General and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, at GITEX AFRICA in Marrakech, Morocco. This historic agreement marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s tech industry.
This strategic move marks the another international venture for GITEX Global, following the successful debut of GITEX Africa in Morocco in May 2023. The event, which has been organized in Dubai for over 40 years, will be held in Lagos, for the first time, a senior Nigerian official said.
“Bringing GITEX to Nigeria will enhance productivity in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and technology, and create a platform to showcase Nigerian innovations on a global scale,” Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General and CEO of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) stated.
During the ceremony, Abdullahi highlighted the significance of this moment, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to trade and economic diversification. “With GITEX Nigeria, we want to energize our tech ecosystem and show the world what Nigerian technology can achieve,” added Abdullahi.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, organisers of GITEX, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying that Nigerian teams have historically excelled at GITEX pitch competitions, often sweeping awards. According to her, Nigeria is the fastest-growing country for developers in Africa, and this raises the question of how many more potential winners are out there.
“By bringing GITEX to Nigeria, we aim to tap into the country’s vast potential and explore the myriad opportunities it offers in sectors like AI, digital health, and fintech,” Trixie said.
The initiative aims not only to showcase local innovations but also to integrate the Nigerian tech ecosystem with GITEX Africa and extend its reach into GITEX Global in Europe. “This move will provide Nigerian startups with unprecedented opportunities to export their technology and ideas to new markets,”Trixie added.
While the announcement marks a significant step forward, no specific launch date has been provided yet, making it a preliminary but promising development.
