Nigeria and Finland have signed a new agreement to deepen cooperation in the digital economy, as both countries look to expand innovation, improve public services and build technical skills.
- Nigeria and Finland signed an MoU to expand cooperation in digital innovation and public technology systems.
- The deal covers cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and skills development.
- It comes as the EU backs Nigeria with a €23m initiative to improve digital services and train tech talent.
- The partnership reflects rising global interest in Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Abuja on 23 March by Nigeria’s communications minister, Bosun Tijani, and Finland’s under-secretary of state for international trade, Jarno Syrjälä, sets out a framework for collaboration across digital government, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, digital public infrastructure and innovation ecosystems.
The deal reflects growing international interest in Nigeria’s digital sector, which has become a key pillar of the country’s economic strategy as authorities push to diversify away from oil.
Africa’s most populous nation has in recent years prioritised digital public infrastructure and skills development, including an ambitious plan to train three million technical talents.
Tijani said the agreement marked “an important step” in strengthening ties between both countries and building a more inclusive, innovation-driven digital economy.
He added that the partnership builds on earlier discussions in Helsinki with Finnish institutions on digital infrastructure and investment opportunities.
Finland, which has developed a global reputation for advanced digital governance systems, said the partnership would support Nigeria in building a more resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem.
“Digitalisation is at its best when it empowers people, strengthens trust, and creates new opportunities for innovation,” Syrjälä said, noting that Nigeria remains a key partner for Finland in Africa.
The MoU comes alongside a broader European push to support Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Finland is leading a €23m Team Europe initiative, funded by the European Union, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital public services and supporting the rollout of its technical talent programme.
The initiative, implemented by Finland’s development agency HAUS in partnership with Estonia’s ESTDEV, forms part of the EU–Nigeria Digital Economy Package under the Global Gateway strategy.
It focuses on improving access to secure and interoperable public services while strengthening institutional capacity and governance.
Analysts say such partnerships are becoming increasingly important as African governments seek foreign expertise and funding to accelerate digital adoption, improve service delivery and create jobs for a fast-growing youth population.
