The Federal Government has unveiled NATImart, a digital marketplace platform aimed at expanding Nigeria’s export capacity, strengthening small businesses, and generating over $1 billion in value-added economic activity. The announcement was made by Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director-General and CEO of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), during a press briefing marking one year of his leadership at the agency.
Raji explained that NATImart will allow Made-in-Nigeria products to reach diaspora and international buyers, creating thousands of jobs, increasing SME participation in global markets, and giving Nigerian innovators direct access to global demand. The platform signals a shift from event-based innovation programmes to permanent commercial infrastructure, complementing initiatives such as the NextGen Innovation Challenge, which has showcased Nigerian innovators internationally and secured millions in investments.
“When fully operational, NATImart is projected to facilitate US$1–5 billion in annual transaction volume, with the potential to contribute over US$1 billion in value-added economic activity through exports, services, logistics, and digital trade,” Raji said.
He added that beyond export growth, the platform will support thousands of jobs, strengthen SME participation in global markets, and improve access to international demand for Nigerian talents and products.
Raji highlighted NBTI’s recent achievements, including the statutory allocation of four per cent of the National Development Levy to the agency under the Tax Reform Acts 2025. This marks the first time NBTI operates on a predictable revenue framework, reducing dependence on annual budget cycles and enabling long-term planning.
Over the past year, NBTI has strengthened its legal foundation with the NATI Bill, introduced computer-based testing for staff promotions, and improved professional capacity and welfare. Raji credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria First Policy for creating an environment where innovation is “strategic, central, and non-negotiable,” driving industrialisation and economic sovereignty.
A major highlight of the year was the NextGen Innovation Challenge Grand Finale in London on October 9, 2025, which showcased 105 Nigerian innovators and attracted £1.5 million in investments for clean-energy solutions. The initiative has been adopted by the Commonwealth of Nations for rollout across 56 countries, with the inaugural Caribbean edition scheduled for 2026.
NBTI has also announced partnerships with the University of Toronto and African Impact Initiatives for the 2026 NextGen Challenge, while Innovate UK will admit 20 outstanding Nigerian innovators into its ecosystem on a fully funded basis. The 2026 edition will focus on high-impact sectors including artificial intelligence, robotics, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, climate resilience, and gender-inclusive innovation.
