NITDA connects ICEGOV to fresh investment opportunities

The National Information Technology Development Agency says the successful hosting of the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance in Abuja has opened new avenues for investment and research collaboration.

The technology regulator said in a statement on Sunday after the event that insights from the conference would help accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and its drive for economic diversification.

The four-day global conference brought together policymakers, scholars, industry executives, and development partners from 33 countries to discuss innovative approaches to digital governance and public sector transformation.

NITDA described ICEGOV 2025 as a strategic milestone that reinforced Nigeria’s position as a leading digital innovation hub in Africa. The agency said the conference generated multidimensional value, from deepening research collaboration and innovation exchange to attracting potential investors seeking to leverage Nigeria’s expanding technology ecosystem.

“Hosting ICEGOV 2025 delivered multiple layers of value to the nation,” NITDA said. “It not only elevated Nigeria’s global reputation in digital governance but also strengthened partnerships that will stimulate new investments, research collaborations, and capacity-building programmes. The knowledge shared during the conference will fast-track our ongoing digital transformation agenda and enhance public sector efficiency.”

ICEGOV, an initiative of the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance, was established in 2007 to advance the study and practice of digital governance.

Its 2025 edition, themed “Reinventing Governance for a Digital Age,” marked the first time Nigeria hosted the prestigious event, positioning the country at the centre of global conversations on technology and governance. A total of 151 scientific papers were submitted by 308 authors from 33 countries, with emerging economies accounting for 68 per cent of participants.

Nigeria led global submissions with 102 authors, followed by Brazil, India, Portugal, and Greece, a development NITDA said reflected the success of its long-term investments in digital research, capacity building, and innovation ecosystem development. The conference also featured plenary sessions, policy dialogues, and an awards segment recognising outstanding contributions to the field of e-governance. Mr Robert Ifeonu of the Central Bank of Nigeria won the Best Paper Award in the Research category for his paper titled “Micro-Transformation Framework for Public Sector Innovation: Catalysing Resilient, Outcome-Driven Digital Governance.”

NITDA said Mr Ifeonu’s recognition underscored Nigeria’s growing influence in developing home-grown digital governance frameworks capable of driving socio-economic transformation. In her closing remarks, Director of UNU-EGOV, Professor Delfina Soares, commended Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, for his leadership, vision, and early endorsement that made it possible to host ICEGOV in Abuja. She said NITDA’s proactive coordination and local partnerships significantly enhanced the conference’s global impact and strengthened Africa’s voice in the digital governance discourse.

“Bringing ICEGOV to Nigeria has amplified the continent’s contribution to global research on electronic governance,” Professor Soares said. “The partnerships and innovations emerging from this conference will have far-reaching benefits for both Nigeria and the global community.”

According to NITDA, the economic and strategic implications of ICEGOV 2025 extend beyond the event itself. The agency said it expects sustained benefits in the form of new collaborative projects, expanded research networks, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and the further acceleration of Nigeria’s knowledge-driven economy.

“The momentum generated by ICEGOV 2025 will translate into concrete outcomes, from research grants and technology investments to policy reforms and institutional capacity-building initiatives,” NITDA said. “We are committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that Nigeria not only participates in global digital governance discussions but actively shapes them.”