NITDA unveils sandbox framework for tech growth
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) to strengthen regulatory collaboration and advance a coordinated sandbox framework for Nigeria’s growing digital economy. The initiative is aimed at improving cooperation among regulatory institutions and creating an environment that supports innovation.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Director General of the Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Emmanuel Edet, stressed the importance of stronger inter-agency collaboration in addressing regulatory challenges affecting innovation.
Inuwa explained that members of the Technical Working Group were carefully selected based on their strategic institutional roles and their capacity to contribute practical solutions that align with the evolving realities of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He noted that although regulatory agencies have legitimate and clearly defined mandates, the increasing complexity of digital technologies now requires greater institutional alignment to ensure that regulations encourage innovation rather than hinder it.
Inuwa added that government institutions have a responsibility to provide solutions to the challenges facing Nigerians, adding that the problem is not a lack of commitment but structural limitations caused by regulators operating independently while implementing their mandates.
The NITDA boss observed that the rapid growth of the digital economy has continued to outpace traditional regulatory systems, creating gaps that can unintentionally delay or obstruct innovative solutions capable of improving livelihoods and driving national development.
To tackle these issues, he said the Agency is championing a multi-agency regulatory framework designed to bring regulators together, improve understanding of overlapping responsibilities, and collectively develop adaptive mechanisms that create room for innovation while maintaining effective oversight.
Central to the framework, Inuwa explained, is the adoption of regulatory sandboxes — controlled environments where innovators can test emerging technologies and digital solutions under the supervision and guidance of relevant regulatory authorities before full-scale deployment.
