NITDA Calls for Regulatory Sandbox to Boost Innovation

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged Nigeria’s regulatory agencies to collaborate in establishing a national regulatory sandbox. NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa emphasized that such collaboration is essential for the sandbox's effectiveness, allowing innovators to develop and test new technologies under appropriate supervision.

Inuwa made this statement through Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation, during the National Regulatory Sandbox Governance and Implementation Planning Workshop in Abuja. This workshop signifies a shift from the design phase to implementation, where regulators will review and validate the governance structure before the sandbox's rollout.

Inuwa noted that the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation has spent months preparing through stakeholder consultations and regulatory assessments. The sandbox aims to provide a structured environment for testing emerging technologies while identifying potential risks and applying existing rules to new business models.

The workshop will also address implementation gaps and establish institutional responsibilities for operationalizing the sandbox.