Nine Nigerian technology innovators and startups have clinched their spots in the semi final of the Supernova Challenge Pitch Competition organised by North Star Dubai, at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), taking place in United Arab Emirates.
Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, while inaugurating the Nigerian pavilion, praised the Startups that have so far scaled the competition’s preliminary stages, and expressed confidence in the ability of the team to progress to the finals and hopefully clinch the ultimate prize.
Prof. Pantami said, “Each and every year, Nigeria has been attending the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition GITEX because of its enormous benefits; these benefits are many, critical among them is attracting foreign direct investment”.
Supernova Challenge is the biggest pitch competition in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, where Startups have opportunity to become the next unicorn, with up to $200,000 in cash prizes up for grabs.
As officially announced by North Star Dubai on their website, the Startups are; IdentityPass, 9JaCodeKids Academy, Floews, Medtech, Paddycover, Pricepally, LiveBic, Technyon Technologies, and Wellness Health Technologies.
Accompanied by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, The Executive Vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), Engr Aliyu Aziz and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammed Bello Abubakar as well as some Nigerian private ICT entrepreneurs, the Minister expressed delight in the highest number of startups at the 2022 GITEX.
“We have recorded significant milestones and great accomplishments in our bid to drive Nigeria’s economy digitally and our modest successes are verifiable”.
Professor Pantami claims that over the past three years, the federal government has introduced a number of programs, policies, and initiatives that have helped to improve the Nigerian digital economy sector by establishing trust between the government and the IT ecosystem.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, expressed similar optimism to the Minister, predicting that the Nigerian squad will triumph in the match and once more put the nation on the map of the world.
Inuwa exhorted the tech innovators to make sure they also learn, unlearn, and relearn by attending various side events and conferences in order to create the required networks to further their profession.
GITEX Global 2022 will serve as a meeting point for IT experts and enthusiasts. The event serves as a catalyst for the Global Startup Movement, drawing the top venture capitalists, angel investors, and technology mentors in the world.
Nigerian startups are exposing their creative ideas to the globe and networking with other startups in Asia, Africa, and Europe in an effort to attract investors to Nigeria and their fast-expanding digital economy.
