Denis Opudo
Nigeria is known for its high population and strong large economy. It is also a home to several startups, entrepreneurs, technological-based industries. Nigeria’s first public policy hackathon event took place in Abuja and Lagos from 20th to 22 of March this year. The event was organized to deliberate on harmonization of legal environment to improve entrepreneurship innovation in the country.
The overall mandate of Hackathon policy is to restructure entrepreneurship environment. The policy works by incorporating stakeholders in the establishment of favorable startups public policies. The policy framework will focus on youth employment, entrepreneurship ecosystem and furnished domestic innovation.
The stakeholders had an opportunity to suggest ways of improving regulatory environment to foster technological development and positive business growth. The final findings report will be recorded and made available to all participants including politicians and key government officials.
The newly appointed National Coordinator of the Office of ICT, Dr. Amina Sambo will take an active role in the Abuja Policy Hackathon. She has conducted many consultations with stakeholders from the time she was declared the agency leadership position.
The Hackathon policy has been jointly sponsored by Impact Hub Lagos, i4Policy, Civic Innovation Lab and “Make-IT in Africa”. The i4Policy company operates all over the continent by working with government authorities and innovative entrepreneurs. For instance, i4Policy last year conducted the Hackathons policy in Kigali Rwanda chiefly for the Trade and Industrialization Ministry. The Rwanda government included the policy instruments when designing their 7 years strategic work plan for youths and private sector development.
Nigerian current government has put more effort for entrepreneurs’ collaboration in running the government.
