Digital Nigeria Builders Festival Targets ₦3 Billion for Nigerian Startups
Through the programme, pre-qualified startups will be matched with more than 100 verified operational challenges submitted by ministries, government agencies, corporate organisations and financial institutions.
The Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition has launched the Digital Nigeria Builders Festival, an initiative targeting ₦3 billion in investments and contracts for Nigerian startups. The first edition of the festival is designed to connect local technology companies with organisations seeking solutions to operational challenges, creating opportunities for business partnerships, investment and commercial agreements.
The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing economic reforms, which seek to improve the business environment, attract investment and strengthen private-sector participation in the Nigerian economy.
Through the programme, pre-qualified startups will be matched with more than 100 verified operational challenges submitted by ministries, government agencies, corporate organisations and financial institutions. The three-day festival will feature a dedicated Deal Room where startups and prospective clients can negotiate pilot projects, sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and pursue investment and contract opportunities.
The Builders Festival is intended to address one of the major challenges facing Nigerian startups: access to customers and commercial opportunities. By encouraging government institutions and private-sector organisations to adopt locally developed technology solutions, the initiative aims to create pathways for startups to expand their operations and generate revenue.
The programme is also expected to support job creation, talent retention and the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy by increasing the adoption of homegrown innovations across different sectors.
The launch comes as Nigerian startups continue to attract investment. The country’s startups raised US$635 million in the first nine months of 2026, reflecting continued investor activity in its technology ecosystem. The ₦3 billion investment and contract pipeline targeted by the Builders Festival adds another mechanism for connecting startups with funding and business opportunities.
