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Tech startups want President Buhari's attention

By , ITWeb
Nigeria , 07 Jun 2016

Tech startups want President Buhari's attention

President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the first government-organised event for startups from across Nigeria to pitch new and emerging technologies ideas to venture capitalists, investors and decision-makers in the public and private sector.

Tagged the Aso Villa Demo Day (AVVD), Buhari is expected to witness how 100 startups will emerge in the first stage of the event in Lagos on 23 June. They will later be screened and reduced to 50 by the second stage of the event scheduled for 28 July 28 in Abuja.

The event will also serve to connect entrepreneurs with the needed resources to move to the next level.

Participation is free and applicants do not need to have a complete idea or a running startup before they can register, according to the AVVD website.

No form of financial involvement has been committed on the part of the government so far. It is playing a facilitator role for the event that is being considered to celebrate some of the best Nigerians in technology innovation and creativity.

ICT Minister, Adebayo Shittu, recently stated that the technology sector is expected to contribute about 30% to the country's GDP by 2020.

He highlighted several ongoing efforts to achieve this goal, including achieving the 30% broadband penetration target by 2018, as well as establishing an ICT university to bridge the skills gap.

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