NITDA seeks 15 MDAs coordination to implement Nigeria Startup Act

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is urging coordination among 15 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to effectively execute the incentives outlined in the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA). This call came during the NSA Incentives Activation Co Creation Session in Abuja, organized by NITDA's subsidiary, the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).

The implementation of the NSA legislation necessitates collaboration across different sectors as government institutions hold varying mandates, resources, and policy instruments. The tax incentives provision of the Act falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

ONDI National Coordinator Victoria Fabunmi emphasized the shift from policy design to operational delivery, with success measured by tangible benefits to businesses in the innovation ecosystem. The Act provides over 31 incentives spanning six major categories: tax and fiscal incentives, regulatory support, funding access, exports and trade, ecosystem enablers, and training and capacity building.

ONDI's Acting Lead, Strategy, Research and Analytics Elma Andah stated that the successful implementation of the incentives hinges on the involvement of over 15 government institutions operating across sectors such as trade, finance, communications, innovation, digital economy, science, and technology. Andah stressed that the focus should pivot from the legislation's existence to the practical activation of incentives to promote investment, innovation, and enterprise growth.