Abuja: Nigerian software developers have achieved a significant milestone, with locally created applications generating over one million dollars in sales across both domestic and regional markets. This was announced by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director-General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, highlighted the growing strength of Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem. She noted that this success is a direct result of targeted support initiatives led by NOTAP, aimed at building capacity, protecting intellectual property, and connecting developers to market opportunities.
The NOTAP boss emphasized the importance of understanding and securing intellectual property (IP) rights. She explained that the journey from concept to impactful innovation begins with IP protection, which many local innovators previously overlooked. This protection is crucial, as it ensures that innovators can claim ownership of their creations and prevent others from replicating and patenting their work.
Amadiobi pointed out the challenges posed by digital piracy and counterfeiting, particularly in the ICT sector. She noted that unauthorized duplication of software and digital content has become a significant barrier to growth, with many creators finding their work rebranded and profited from by others within weeks.
To address these issues, NOTAP has implemented a multi-pronged strategy, including the Local Vendor Policy, which requires foreign technology firms entering Nigeria to partner with local counterparts. This policy has enabled developers to create apps that address critical local challenges, such as a mobile health platform serving 750,000 users across six states, an agricultural marketplace connecting farmers to buyers, and an educational tool adopted by 200 schools.
Amadiobi explained that developers gained skills and resources through NOTAP’s Local Vendor Policy, which mandates foreign technology firms to allocate a portion of their technical service fees to local partners. This has empowered Nigerian developers to build products that compete globally, with 60 percent of last year’s sales coming from other African countries.
The Director-General further noted that over 50 locally developed apps contributed to the one million dollar sales figure, with individual developers earning between 5,000 and 80,000 dollars. Looking forward, NOTAP aims to double these sales figures by 2027, expanding support to developers focusing on fintech, renewable energy management, and climate adaptation tools, identified as high-growth opportunities for Nigerian innovation.