To bridge the funding gap that plagued Nigerian technology companies and also realize the potentials of the software industry in the 21st century knowledge society, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has said that investments in the technology start-ups will grow indigenous software industry.
It would be recalled that the Techlaunchpad started in 2012, following a meeting with chief information officers of banks and oil and gas companies, to identify issues affecting the patronage of local software entrepreneurs and solutions to address them.
The initiative which is a public private partnership is focused on carefully selected tech start-ups who will be provided a training and mentorship program through Heads of ICT and Executive of private sectors
The Minister who stated this recently in her remarks at the the closing ceremony of the Techlaunchpad first edition and the unveiling of the second edition in Lagos with optimism said that investments in software entrepreneurs would create a minimum of 25 sustainable ICT businesses that are fundable.
By so doing, she added that it would increase the participation and investment of the venture capitalists and private equity managers in the ICT in Nigeria, which will be over $100 million in the next few years; increase the footprints of Nigeria young ICT companies in Africa as solution and service providers; and create jobs.
While ICT innovation will continue to play a major role in creating knowledge-based societies and wealth for the citizens, the Minister told the gathering that the Ministry has put in place a set of initiatives that will assist the tech start-ups to create successful bueinesses which will directly create wealth job and wealth.
Assuring that the ministry remained committed to its mandate of promoting the growth of the ICT industry, she said that investment in software will create su
