The European Union (EU) and its development partners are advancing plans to fast-track Nigeria’s €820 million digital expansion programme, with €45 million set for release in 2025 to boost ICT infrastructure and drive training under the 3MTT initiative.
As part of efforts to extend digital development across the country, the EU and its partners convened in Kano for the fifth Project Steering Committee meeting of the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, alongside the launch of the Women Venture Studio Innovation Hub.
The initiative—funded by the EU, BMZ Germany and the Kingdom of Denmark, and implemented by GIZ Nigeria—brought together representatives from government agencies, academia and the tech innovation ecosystem. The gathering marked a major step in expanding digital transformation efforts beyond Nigeria’s southern cities.
Inga Stefanowicz, the EU’s Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy, emphasised that digital development must be inclusive and nationwide.
“We do not want this Steering Committee to remain only in Abuja,” she said. “That is why we have taken it across the country—from Lagos to Ibadan and now Kano. It is important to recognise the digital transformation happening here in the north as well.”
Stefanowicz noted that the broader EU digital cooperation package is valued at €820 million, with €45 million earmarked for 2025 to support 3MTT ICT training, expand fibre-optic connectivity and improve digital public infrastructure. She added that while three years of implementation have recorded meaningful progress, more work lies ahead.
So far, the Digital Transformation Centre has trained and supported over 5,300 Nigerians, including 2,060 women and 795 persons with disabilities. Beneficiaries have received digital skills training, entrepreneurship support and access to startup resources. The programme is also piloting digital vouchers to enable more individuals and MSMEs access essential technology tools.
Additionally, 40 startups and small businesses have benefited from innovation support, while policy actions in four states are helping reduce digital gender gaps.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, Dr. Ahmed Yusuf Tambuwal, described the discussions as strategic and forward-looking.
“We are here to review progress and chart the way ahead,” he said. “We have identified gaps and aligned priorities. Inclusion remains a commitment—we want a digital economy that works for everyone, especially women and persons with disabilities.”
From academia, Dr. Victor Odumiuwa of the NITDA IT Hub noted that the initiative is boosting innovation within Nigerian universities. “Many startups have been supported, and many trainings have taken place,” he said. “This is helping us scale innovation across the university system.”
For the next phase, stakeholders agreed to train an additional 5,800 young people, expand green and digital skills programmes, strengthen ICT employability pathways and scale interventions such as mentorship, job-market integration and digital voucher schemes.
