Second Phase of IgniteHer Bootcamp Launched to Empower Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs

• NITDA introduced Phase 2 of the IgniteHer Bootcamp, its flagship initiative aimed at transforming Nigerian women entrepreneurs
• The program is meant to give women digital and business competencies to thrive in an economy that is technology-driven

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has started the second phase of its IgniteHer Bootcamp, one of its signature programs designed to equip Nigerian women entrepreneurs with technological and entrepreneurship skills to thrive in today's digital economy.

Launched in Abuja, the programme is a collaborative effort between NITDA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It aims to help narrow Nigeria's digital gender gap as well as inclusive economic development by offering training, mentorship, and business opportunity collaboration for women to scale up their businesses and emerge as innovation leaders in their respective markets.

At the launch ceremony, NITDA Director General Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi—through his representative, Dr. Ahmed Tambuwal, Acting Director, Digital Literacy and Capacity Development—made an unveiling of the expanded scope of the second edition, in view of the success of the first. Dr. Kashifu emphasized that enabling women, who make up virtually half of Nigeria's 216 million people, is not only an equity imperative but also crucial to national economic growth.

According to a World Bank report, Nigeria's number of women is about 108 million. Empowering them is the hub of gender-inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development," he added.

He also referred to a World Wide Web Foundation report, which suggests bridging the digital gender gap in Nigeria could add up to $13 billion to the GDP in a decade.

Yuzurio Susumu, JICA Country Representative, echoed the appeal for gender equality by declaring that women's economic empowerment is both economically smart and ethically sound. Referring to figures from McKinsey Global Institute, he stated that it has the potential to add between $12 trillion and GDP by 2030 even with moderate progress.

"Women already play important roles in Nigeria's informal economy. Bringing them into formal businesses in a more inclusive way will release a huge social and economic value," Yuzurio said.

Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Matsunaga Kazuyoshi urged the delegates to extract maximum benefit from the bootcamp and apply fresh skills in developing business that promotes innovation and jobs.

One of the participants, Oluwagbemiro Favour, echoed her passion, affirming she was excited to acquire experiential digital learning, business tactics, and mentorship—tools she said would be important to developing her business.

IgniteHer Bootcamp is in alignment with Nigeria's National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy and NITDA's Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which aims at digitally empowering 12.7 million women by 2027.