Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh: We Want to Create Technologies With Partners, Not Just Buy Them
Moscow is hosting the third day of the Second Global Digital Forum, which has brought together representatives from 120 countries, including heads of government agencies and major companies.
At the Mechta venue in Gorky Park, participants are discussing technological development, international investment and prospects for joint projects. For Nigeria, the forum is an opportunity to strengthen ties with Russian technology companies and discuss the terms of cooperation. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, told the IT Russia media platform about the development of the country’s digital ecosystem, the potential of the Nigerian market and the principles guiding partnerships with foreign companies:
– Nigeria has a large economy and plays a significant role in Africa’s technology ecosystem. Six or seven out of every 10 African unicorns, meaning companies valued at more than $1 billion, operate in Nigeria.
We aim to build our own capacity to develop new digital solutions. Nigeria is a very young country: the median age of its population is around 18. That is why we place a strong emphasis on educating young people, including training professionals in digital technology, and supporting innovation.
Our task is to commercialize the results of this work. Research and innovation generate new ideas and projects, but only some of them make it to market. That is why it is important to identify promising solutions and set priorities so that these developments can become products that meet market demand. We also focus on protecting intellectual property. In addition, we have passed a law and established a fund to support innovation and development. The law provides for allocating a certain share of GDP to research and innovation.
Nigeria is open to international cooperation and works with countries in both the East and the West, as well as with governments, private companies and other businesses. Our participation in the Global Digital Forum reflects our interest in strengthening ties with Russian companies. Yandex, one of Russia’s leading technology companies, is already working with Africa and plans to expand its presence in Nigeria. We are now discussing various opportunities for the company to operate in the Nigerian market.
Our principle, however, is that we do not want simply to buy technology. We want companies and countries entering Nigeria to develop solutions together with us. This is not about selling finished products, but about working together and creating shared commercial value. We do not just need assistance; we need partnerships on mutually beneficial terms.
Nigeria is a large market with a population of around 240 million and significant consumer potential. As I mentioned, the median age is 18, and many Nigerians actively use modern technologies. According to available research, 157 million Nigerians use technologies such as smartphones. The scale of this market creates opportunities for foreign companies to invest and earn returns on those investments.
We expect to sign agreements and memorandums of mutual support with Russian companies. In particular, we plan to sign such a document after the Russia–Africa Summit. In this way, we aim to strengthen Nigeria’s digital sovereignty while also developing digital interdependence with our partners.
