Federal Government Greenlights Startup Hub in San Francisco Alongside 90,000km Fiber Optic Cable Expansion

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has exciting news for tech enthusiasts. He’s planning to establish the Nigerian Digital Technology Exchange Program Hub, also known as the Nigerian Startup House, in San Francisco, USA. This move aims to boost Nigeria’s presence in the global tech arena and attract investments.

The project has gotten the green light and will transform a property owned by the Nigerian government in San Francisco. Alongside this hub, the minister unveiled a Special Purpose Vehicle (SVP) initiative

This plan involves laying an additional 90,000km of fibre optic cable to enhance internet connectivity across Nigeria. This means stronger internet access for communities, building on the earlier ‘Project 774 LG Connectivity’ which aimed to connect local government offices to the internet.

Minister Tijani emphasised the importance of tapping into San Francisco’s vast resources, mentioning that a significant chunk of funding for Nigerian startups comes from venture capital funds in the Bay Area. He believes that setting up shop there will attract foreign investment and elevate Nigeria’s startup ecosystem on the global stage.

The Nigerian Startup House, a federal government initiative, will be jointly managed by the Ministries of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, and Foreign Affairs. While the government will provide some funding, the hub will also rely on contributions from Nigerian digital tech companies for its operations.

Additionally, the recently formed Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, includes a 10% representation from the tech sector. Minister Tijani, along with other tech leaders like Funke Opeke and Chidi Ajaere, have been appointed as members of this council, highlighting the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth.