Deji-Kurunmi: PPPs to drive investment, policies for tech innovation, digital economy

Leveraging the power of public private partnerships is crucial to driving investments and policies that will catalyse technology innovation and digital economy in Nigeria. Debola Deji-Kurunmi, Founder of Ideation Hub Africa, shared her insights in a chat with CNBC Africa at the grand finale of Wema Bank Hackaholics 5.0. She expressed optimism regarding the next three to seven years, foreseeing a significant rise in education empowering women to take on strategic roles in leveraging technology for problem-solving initiatives. Deji-Kurunmi commended Wema Bank for its commitment to young innovators over the last seven years. She highlighted three key areas where Wema Bank has excelled, including substantial funding of over $300,000 for young innovators, engagement with 21 university campuses across Africa, and the quality of conversations fostering mentorship and guidance. This commitment to innovation sets Wema Bank apart in its sustained support for youth-led initiatives. The conversation then shifted towards the role of women in the tech ecosystem. Deji-Kurunmi emphasized the need to close the human capital gap through enhanced education to empower women in tech. She noted the disparity in IT leadership roles, where 85-90% are held by men in Nigeria, underscoring the importance of creating opportunities for women in corporate tech leadership positions. She also highlighted the necessity of dedicated women-focused tech ecosystems to address the unique challenges faced by women in technology. While Nigeria boasts 85 out of 600 tech hubs in Africa, there is a need for more inclusive spaces for female founders and tech startup leaders. Normalizing the use of technology and democratizing its power are essential to fostering gender diversity in the tech industry. Deji-Kurunmi further delved into the corporate and governmental strategies required to drive tech innovation. She emphasized the integration of technology knowledge into performance structures within organizations and called for a shift towards practical engagement with technology across all aspects of corporate strategy. Regarding government involvement, she stressed the importance of co-creating policies with young innovators and fostering public-private partnerships for sustainable tech growth. In addressing the financial landscape and investment flows in Africa, Deji-Kurunmi remained optimistic about the continent's potential to attract investments. She acknowledged the challenges posed by funders' fatigue and global economic uncertainties but advised young African investors to adopt a grassroots approach, collaborate in collectives for scalable solutions, and adopt impact-driven entrepreneurial models. In conclusion, Deji-Kurunmi's insights underscore the importance of public-private collaborations, gender inclusivity in tech, and innovative approaches to drive technology innovation and digital economy in Nigeria. With the right policies, investments, and educational empowerment, the future holds promise for a more diverse and thriving tech ecosystem in the country.