The Federal Government, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has opened a major opportunity for Nigerian startups to connect with investors, government institutions and corporate organisations through the Tech Revolution Africa Builders Festival 2026. https://nitda.techrevolutionafrica.org/
The programme is designed to help technology companies move beyond pitching and gain access to real institutional challenges, potential pilot contracts and funding opportunities.
The festival’s official platform describes the opportunity as a ₦3 billion funding and contract pipeline, covering venture capital, angel investment and government innovation support.
Unlike programmes focused mainly on business ideas, the Builders Festival is targeting startups that already have technology products capable of addressing real problems.
The opportunity is open to Nigerian-registered startups at the MVP stage or beyond.
Applicants must have at least one live user, an active pilot or a paying client. The organisers specifically state that idea-stage and pre-product applications will not be accepted.
Startups will be assessed based on three major areas: market traction, team resilience and product maturity.
The programme is particularly seeking deployment-ready solutions across areas including GovTech and digital identity, DeepTech and telecommunications infrastructure, EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, supply-chain compliance and smart infrastructure.
Some of the challenges listed on the platform include digital civil registration, satellite data access, AI customs risk profiling, vaccine supply-chain visibility, broadband optimisation, financial technology monitoring and IoT-based infrastructure solutions.
Beyond potential investment, participating startups can gain direct access to government agencies and companies that have identified specific technology needs.
The programme also includes masterclasses covering product development, engineering and go-to-market strategy.
A major feature is the Deal Room, where matched startups can engage directly with institutions and potentially negotiate pilot agreements or memoranda of understanding.
The initiative is expected to culminate in live Deal Room sessions during the Builders Festival and the broader DNICE 2026 programme in Abuja.
Interested founders are required to complete the application through the official Builders Festival platform.
Applicants will need to provide information about their registered company, founders and technical team, product, sector, institutional challenge being addressed, market traction, active users and existing or previous pilot partners.
They will also be asked to provide a product demo reel, pitch deck or a link to a product walkthrough.
Applications are scheduled to close on Monday, October 5, 2026.
For Nigerian startups that already have a functioning technology product and are looking for institutional customers, pilot opportunities or investment, the programme provides a structured route to present their solutions to potential partners.