In Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy, one truth is clear: when women rise, communities thrive.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is proving this yet again with the launch of the second edition of its IgniteHer Bootcamp for Women Entrepreneurs.
This is a flagship programme designed to close the digital gender gap, spark innovation, and create economic opportunities for women across the country.
Themed “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs for Growth and Innovation”, this year’s bootcamp — held both physically and virtually, gathered talented female founders from across Nigeria for intensive training in digital skills, innovation management, business development, and investor readiness.
But IgniteHer is more than just a training programme. It’s part of NITDA’s bigger vision: to ensure that women are not left behind in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
“Through IgniteHer, we are opening doors for women to access technology, resources, and opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives and by extension, our economy,” said NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, represented by Dr. Ahmed Tambuwal, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building.
A National Mission for Inclusive Growth
IgniteHer sits at the heart of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0: 2024–2027), a plan that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Primarily to reform the economy, drive inclusive growth, and diversify revenue through industrialisation and digital innovation.
The agency’s National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) aims to equip 12.7 million Nigerian women with digital literacy by 2027. This is undoubtedly, a bold step towards reducing unemployment and empowering women-led enterprises.
And the stakes are high. According to the World Wide Web Foundation, closing Nigeria’s digital gender gap could add $13 billion to the nation’s GDP in the next decade. IgniteHer is one step closer to unlocking that potential.
Collaboration for Impact
The bootcamp is delivered in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
But their support extends beyond IgniteHer to programmes like the iHatch Incubation Programme for early-stage startups.
Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, reinforced Japan’s dedication to innovation and inclusion, revealing ongoing grant projects worth $30.9 million to strengthen Nigeria’s startup ecosystem and build an inclusive innovation hub.
Beyond Skills; Building Leaders
Lead Facilitator, Hajiya Hafsat Salabi-Dange, described IgniteHer as “a movement that bridges the digital gender divide and fosters economic independence.”
She urged participants selected from over 12,000 applicants, to see the bootcamp as a launchpad for community upliftment, national growth, and generational impact.
From mastering the latest digital tools to connecting with investors, IgniteHer graduates aren’t just learning, they’re becoming the leaders, change-makers, and problem-solvers Nigeria needs.
