The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled the Nigeria Tech Outlook Report 2026 to guide investment in the country’s digital economy.
NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa unveiled the report on Wednesday at the ongoing Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026 in Abuja.
The report includes a dashboard offering evidence-based insights to support policymaking, investment and digital economy development.
Inuwa said it was designed to provide a credible national baseline for measuring Nigeria’s digital progress, identifying gaps and guiding interventions across key sectors.
He said the report covers financial services, telecommunications, commerce and trade, e-government, e-health, digital access, skills, trust and inclusion.
According to Inuwa, the research involved 2,147 household interviews, 539 health facility interviews, 15 key informant interviews and a review of 10 administrative records from relevant institutions.
“The report shows that 86.5 per cent of Nigerian adults held financial accounts, while only 12 per cent accessed digital credit in the preceding 12 months.
“It also reveals that 40.6 per cent of adults personally used smartphones, while only 6.6 per cent purchased goods online in the preceding three months.
“On digital public services, the report indicates that 17.9 per cent of respondents used government services online in the preceding 12 months.
“It further shows that 75.9 per cent of adults were willing to use telemedicine if available, while 11.3 per cent had insurance coverage.”
Inuwa said the findings showed that 13.1 per cent of respondents had experienced digital financial fraud, highlighting the need to strengthen consumer protection and digital trust.
He said the report would help government, investors, researchers, innovators and development partners make evidence-based decisions.
The accompanying dashboard, he added, would make the findings accessible beyond the printed report and allow stakeholders to track progress and provide feedback.
According to Inuwa, the evidence would also help investors identify opportunities in payments, connectivity, digital devices, e-commerce, logistics, e-government and digital health.
He said addressing challenges such as power supply, digital skills, affordability, interoperability and consumer protection was essential to maximising investment in the sector.
The NITDA director-general added that the report would establish an annual process for measuring progress, reviewing targets and adjusting policies in response to new evidence.
He urged stakeholders to use the findings to develop practical solutions, strengthen institutions and improve digital inclusion across the country.
The report identified access, usage, trust, skills and inclusion as interconnected areas that require attention to ensure Nigeria’s expanding digital infrastructure delivers meaningful benefits to citizens and businesses.
