Nigeria strengthened its global reputation for digital leadership as the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, delivered a compelling keynote address at the 4th MENA Fintech Festival in Doha, Qatar. His message captured the growing momentum of financial innovation across continents and highlighted Nigeria’s rising influence in shaping the next generation of banking and digital finance.
Inuwa focused his address on the evolution of Bank 4.0, a future where financial services become intelligent, intuitive, and fully embedded into the daily lives of citizens. He noted that this shift is no longer theoretical. It is unfolding in real time as Artificial Intelligence, advanced data systems, and digital platforms redefine the way people save, borrow, transact, and grow their wealth. This transformation, he stressed, requires bold action and shared commitment from governments, innovators, regulators, and investors.
He then spotlighted Nigeria’s strong progress within this global shift. Nigeria now hosts a fast-growing fintech ecosystem driven by youthful creativity, expanding infrastructure, and a digital economy that continues to gain the attention of global institutions. He explained that Nigerian innovators are building payment solutions that serve millions. They are also expanding access for rural communities, small businesses, and underserved groups that once struggled to enter the formal financial system.
However, Inuwa noted that access alone cannot guarantee meaningful progress. He emphasised that innovation must improve financial health, resilience, and long-term opportunity for women, youth, rural populations, and MSMEs. These groups form the foundation of the nation’s economic engine. Because of this, he urged global decision-makers to prioritise tools that empower people rather than deepen existing inequalities.
To support this mission, he proposed the creation of a Nigeria–MENA Digital Fintech Corridor, a strategic framework designed to unlock shared growth across both regions. He explained that the corridor should enable interoperable cross-border payments, shared regulatory sandboxes, and responsible AI deployment. These pillars, he noted, will strengthen trust, expand collaboration, and accelerate the development of next-generation financial products.
He also encouraged more youth-driven innovation exchanges between Nigeria and the MENA region. He believes such exchanges will build stronger bridges between emerging talents, foster fresh ideas, and support sustainable digital entrepreneurship. Moreover, he highlighted the need for solutions that prioritise inclusivity. He explained that digital finance must reflect the realities of everyday citizens, especially those navigating rural markets, informal sectors, and low-income environments.
Inuwa further stressed that Africa and the MENA region share similar challenges, opportunities, and demographic strengths. Because of this, he argued that stronger cross-regional alliances will create wider markets, unlock more investments, and strengthen financial systems. He also noted that rapid technological changes demand smarter collaboration. Nations that work together will anticipate risks faster, deploy better regulations, and respond more effectively to global economic shifts.
He closed his address with a call for deeper partnerships. He affirmed that innovation remains the engine of inclusive growth and declared that Nigeria stands ready to partner, co-create, and shape the global fintech landscape with nations that share similar aspirations. His message inspired confidence and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to responsible, people-focused innovation.
Overall, NITDA’s participation at the MENA Fintech Festival reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as a forward-thinking leader in digital transformation. It also signalled the country’s readiness to champion inclusive, human-centered innovation that supports prosperity across communities, regions, and generations.
