How Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Blueprint Is Rewiring SME Growth

Since 2019, Nigeria’s government has aligned digital policy across strategy, infrastructure, and talent, through initiatives like NDEPS, the Nigeria Startup Act (2022), and broadband expansion. Why it matters to SMEs: These policies are shaping new ecosystems. SMEs now have access to faster internet, and SME incentives, and a legal framework that recognizes them as tech-first businesses. Practical impact: Broadband Plan: Lagos now has >70% broadband coverage, enabling more SMEs to run cloud tools and remote teams. Startup Act: Reduces regulatory cost/time (e.g., access to digital schemes). What SMEs should be doing: 1. Choose cloud-native, API-based software that can adapt to expanding broadband. 2. Engage with local digital hubs.