Inuwa delivered this commitment while speaking at the 3^rd Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED 2025), an event expertly organised by the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN).

The dialogue’s timely theme was: “Green Tech and Energy Revolution: Transforming Business and Society.”

Commending YIN for hosting a “timely and visionary dialogue,” the DG praised the group’s consistent efforts in promoting innovation, nurturing young talent, and driving sustainable solutions vital for national development.

“TED 2025 once again proves that Nigeria’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the change-makers of today,” Inuwa stated, highlighting the pivotal role of the country’s young innovators in shaping its future.
He noted that the theme of the event aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts manufacturing, and innovation.

Highlighting NITDA’s interventions to strengthen the technology ecosystem, Inuwa listed several initiatives, including the establishment of Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country, as well as programmes such as iHatch, the National Innovation Challenge, IgniteHer, We Elevate, and Renewed Hope Innovation Nest. He also cited partnerships that foster research and development in frontier technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and clean energy.

“These initiatives are designed to ensure that innovation is inclusive—reaching youth, women, and MSMEs across Nigeria—while equipping them with digital tools to create scalable solutions,” he explained.

Inuwa stressed that embracing green technology is not optional but a necessity, urging collaboration between government, industry, academia, and citizens to build a digital, green, and inclusive future.

He assured stakeholders that NITDA is fully committed to partnerships that will enable Nigeria to lead Africa in leveraging green technology for growth, jobs, and sustainable development.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Krakrafaa Bestman, a Sustainability Expert noted that millions of Nigerians still lack reliable electricity, the nation is richly blessed with solar, wind, hydro, and human capital resources. He stressed that these endowments present vast opportunities to bridge the energy gap and stimulate sustainable development.

Outlining Nigeria’s energy transition targets, he pointed to plans to generate 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and deploy 5GW of solar capacity. He also referenced ongoing initiatives such as the Nigerian Electrification Project and community-based mini-grids designed to expand access, particularly in rural areas.

Dr Bestman further underscored the importance of adopting circular economy practices, including recycling and waste-to-energy solutions, as a means of reducing pollution while creating new economic opportunities.

For the transition to succeed, Dr. Bestman outlined three priorities: reforms to attract investment and incentivise renewable energy adoption; greater business commitment to clean energy sourcing and community partnerships; and innovations that deliver safe, affordable, and locally adaptable technologies.

He, however, cautioned against the risks associated with renewable energy systems, such as battery hazards and poorly installed solar panels, stressing the need for strict safety standards and comprehensive lifecycle management.

“Green technologies must not only drive businesses but also protect the future,” he declared, urging Nigerians to embrace innovation and collaboration. “The world is waiting for Nigeria’s leadership in building a resilient and sustainable energy system.”

The post Green Tech at the Core of Nigeria’s Digital Future, Says NITDA DG appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

And now, with $320,000 (R6 million) in grant funding from the Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP Africa), the startup has the backing to prove it’s not just an idea.

The project isn’t about selling more chargers or fancy dashboards, but confronting one of South Africa’s most pressing headaches — load shedding — with a tool that’s been parked in our garages all along.

Zimi’s focus is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. In plain terms, it’s a system that lets EVs push electricity back into buildings or the national grid. You go out, you drive, you come back, you plug in — and instead of just topping up your battery, your car can give power back to your home or workplace. When the grid fails, you don’t have to sit in the dark.

“The grant aims to investigate and understand the limitations and challenges of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, develop real-world pilot applications to test V2G in practice, and ultimately create a commercial model that operates within existing grid constraints,” said Michael Maas, CEO of Zimi.

The EEP Africa grant didn’t come easy. Over 530 organisations submitted applications. Only 32 got the green light. Zimi was one of them. That’s no fluke.

Zimi already works closely with logistics firms — companies that own large vehicle fleets and lose money every time a truck sits idle. With V2G, that downtime becomes productive. An EV parked at a warehouse can now help power the lights and keep operations running during outages. It’s energy recycling, fleet-style.

“Perhaps the most important factor is a proven track record – something we have established through our work with major logistics providers such as Bakers Logistics,” Maas added.

The EV market in South Africa is still growing, but Zimi isn’t waiting for mass adoption. It’s betting on fleet operators to lead the transition. These are the early adopters who feel the pinch of diesel prices and operational delays more than anyone else. They also have the scale to test and refine new tech like V2G before it hits mainstream consumers.

Zimi’s solution is a complete system that helps businesses monitor their energy usage, manage payments, and even plug into solar power when available. Think of it as a full EV ecosystem, designed for the realities of South African power problems.

The timing couldn’t be better. Volvo recently launched the EX90 in South Africa, one of the country’s first EVs capable of bi-directional charging — a key requirement for V2G tech. Slowly but surely, the hardware is catching up with the vision.

At its core, Zimi is pushing for a mindset shift. The car in your driveway or at the company depot isn’t just for transport anymore. It’s a backup generator, a battery, and a power manager rolled into one.

For a country that still dreads the next stage of load shedding, it’s a breath of fresh thinking. 

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