Tinubu Begins Implementation of $500M Digital Free Zones Project to Provide International Tech Jobs for Youth.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially laid the foundation for implementing the Digital Free Zones framework, directing the completion of operational guidelines within 180 days to attract foreign direct investment, curb brain drain, and unlock high-paying global employment opportunities for Nigerian youth.
The initiative aims to modernize Nigeria's free zone regulations enacted over 30 years ago, enabling local technology, finance, and services companies to access global capital, scale operations, and retain intellectual property domestically without needing to relocate abroad.
President Tinubu directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole who serves as the Vice Chair and Coordinator of the Presidential Committee on Digital Free Zones to collaborate with the 'Itana Innovation' project to finalize the implementation roadmap.
* Nationwide Job Creation: Designed to allow skilled youth in cities such as Kano, Enugu, Warri, Minna, Maiduguri, and Ibadan to work directly for global companies remotely from home.
* Empowering Diverse Professionals: Beyond tech specialists, the framework encompasses software engineers, web developers, lawyers, accountants, and designers to service international tech firms.
* Regulatory and Policy Modernization: The Presidential Steering Committee will streamline policies covering banking, taxation, immigration, dispute resolution, and government service digitization.
At the core of this initiative is Itana, Nigeria’s first licensed Digital Free Zone by NEPZA. Supported by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the $500 million flagship project located in Alaro City, Lagos, integrates an innovation hub with business-friendly regulations to scale tech markets across the continent.
President Tinubu emphasized that retaining economic value locally aligns with his administration’s 'Renewed Hope' agenda, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement to position Nigeria as Africa's premier technology hub.