Kano-based Kwari E-Market won the top prize at the maiden Builders Festival organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), according to Galaxy Television. Galaxy reported that the awards were presented on 12 November at the closing ceremony of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) in Abuja. It said Lagos-based VarsityScape came second and Chekkit, a platform that combats counterfeit products, came third.
NITDA’s release describes the festival as scheduled for 10 to 12 November alongside DNICE. Voice of Nigeria describes it as a strategic partnership between NITDA and Tech Revolution Africa, and reported that more than 1,388 startups applied and about 30 were selected. BusinessDay reported more than 1,500 applicants, and we have not reconciled the two figures.
A target, not an amount already secured
NITDA’s release sets out a target of “a ₦3 billion investment pipeline” for promising entrepreneurs. It says the figure “represents a mobilisation target rather than funding already secured.” The release carries a 30 October dateline from the director-general’s keynote and was posted on 12 November. National Daily reported that the director-general had described the target as a pipeline of potential investments and commercial opportunities, not a guaranteed grant or fund to be shared among participating startups.
Conflicting prize figures
Galaxy Television reported ₦3 million for first place, ₦2.5 million for second, ₦2 million for third and ₦150,000 for each other participating startup. BusinessDay reported a US$50,000 equity-free grant for the overall winner and US$10,000 to US$30,000 for other outstanding participants. The two accounts do not match, and we found no organiser or NITDA statement that resolves the difference.
Deal room and challenges
Galaxy quoted David Ogebe, co-founder and director of Tech Revolution Africa, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said participants held deal-room discussions with organisations including Stanbic IBTC, eHealth Africa and NIGCOMSAT, that partnerships and business agreements were “initiated”, and that a tracking system had been set up to follow up on prospective deals over the next 30 days. We have not found the NAN report, any deal values or a list of signed agreements, and we cannot establish that any named company signed.
NAN reported that more than 100 verified challenges had been matched with pre-qualified startups. BusinessDay reported that organisers identified 21 priority challenges. We have not reconciled those counts.
Eligibility
According to National Daily, organisers require eligible businesses to have reached at least the minimum viable product stage, with at least one live user, an active pilot or a paying customer. National Daily also reported that participation does not guarantee funding or a contract.
The festival is separate from NITDA’s plan for six startup funds with JICA and NSIA, which we covered on 14 November. Whether the pipeline target produces pilots, contracts or investment will depend on negotiations that have not yet been reported in detail.
Sources
- NITDA, 'NITDA DG Calls for Africa's Transition from Digital Consumers to Global Creators' (page dated 12 November 2026; dateline 30 October 2026)
- Galaxy Television, 'NITDA rewards top startups with N7.5m' (12 November 2026)
- BusinessDay, 'NITDA's Builders Festival draws 1,500+ applicants as focus shifts to commercial solution' (12 November 2026)
- News Agency of Nigeria, 'NITDA, NACCIMA seek N3bn investment in Nigeria's digital innovation' (12 November 2026)
- Voice of Nigeria, 'NITDA DG Urges Startups to Address Nigeria's Key Challenges' (12 November 2026)
- National Daily, 'Digital Nigeria Builders Festival targets ₦3bn investment for Nigerian startups' (13 November 2026)
