President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Government to produce a roadmap for the full rollout of Nigeria’s Digital Free Zones within 180 days, as the administration moves to create a business environment tailored to technology and digitally driven companies.

The directive places the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, at the centre of the implementation process. Oduwole, who serves as Vice-Chairman and Implementation Coordinator of the Presidential Steering Committee on Digital Free Zones, is expected to work with the committee and the Itana Innovation project on the roadmap.

The initiative is designed to enable technology and service businesses to operate from Nigeria while raising international capital and serving customers beyond the country. It is also expected to create opportunities for Nigerians to work for global companies locally and expand demand for professionals including engineers, developers, designers, lawyers and accountants.

A key component of the plan is the $500 million Itana Innovation project in Alaro City, Lagos, backed by the Africa Finance Corporation. Itana has been licensed by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority as Nigeria’s first Digital Free Zone and is expected to provide infrastructure, capital access and other support for technology and service-based businesses.

The Presidential Steering Committee will also address areas including taxation, banking, immigration, arbitration, regulation and the digitisation of government processes within the free-zone framework. The measures are intended to make it easier for companies to establish and expand operations in Nigeria while competing in international markets.

Tinubu said the broader objective was to ensure that more of the economic value generated by Nigerian talent remained within the country through employment, investment, professional services, intellectual property and the growth of locally based businesses.