Itana

“What is Itana?" "What is Itana free zone? 🤔” These are questions we hear often. Is it a digital platform? A physical city? The truth is, Itana unites the digital and physical worlds to unlock Africa’s digital economy. Itana is Africa’s first Digital Free Zone—an innovative platform empowering global technology and service-based businesses to set up and scale fully online from Nigeria to Africa. 💚 We’re starting digital: working hand-in-hand with the government to build trust, better policies, and the infrastructure businesses need to thrive. But there’s more. Beyond digital, we’re building a 72,000 sqm live-work-build district in Alaro City, Lagos—featuring coworking spaces, reliable infrastructure, and residential facilities to support and nurture Africa’s digital talents. 📍From governance to infrastructure to community, Itana is the gateway to building a global business in Africa. To learn more about how Itana is unlocking Africa’s digital economy, click here: https://lnkd.in/dxYKzFtz 👈🏻

We were thrilled to host one of our investors, Bradford Cross, CEO of Two Lions and Pronomos Capital, during his first visit to Africa in 2023—and Nigeria was his chosen destination. Bradford’s visit was a testament to Africa’s rising potential. He immersed himself in Nigeria’s dynamic tech and business ecosystem—meeting government officials, tech founders, industry leaders, and some of Africa's biggest entrepreneurs and professionals—and was deeply inspired by the energy and ambition driving innovation on the continent. We had incredible conversations about future cities, special economic zones, and how they will play a pivotal role in unlocking Africa’s untapped opportunities. His words captured it perfectly: “There’s so much energy, determination, and resilience to build here. I’m excited to see Africa rise as a global innovation hub.” Bradford's time with us—visiting Co-Creation Hub, engaging with founders at Itana’s Builders of Africa’s Future Mixer, and exploring Nigeria’s thriving ecosystem—highlighted what makes this continent so unique: the talent, the drive, and the opportunities waiting to be unlocked. Global investors are taking notice, and so should you. Africa is open for business, and at Itana, we’re building the future with innovation-driven founders and enterprises. Explore how we can help you unlock opportunities in Africa: https://www.itana.africa/ 👈🏻 Iyinoluwa Aboyeji || Luqman Edu || Coco Liu || Nkechi Oguchi || Victor Ndukwe || Victor Famubode

Doing Business in Africa: Unlocking Opportunities in a Dynamic Landscape. Africa’s dynamic business ecosystem is a treasure trove of opportunities. But driving success in the African market requires more than ambition—it demands a deep understanding of local markets, strategic partnerships, and insights from experts who’ve navigated this vibrant landscape! 👌🏻 That’s why we launched the Doing Business in Africa (DBIA) series (itana.africa/events). Through conversations with top industry leaders, we’ve demystified the complexities of operating in Africa, offering actionable insights and strategies. 💯 Here’s a glimpse of what we covered: 1. Understanding Africa’s business landscape with Iyinoluwa Aboyeji of Future Africa, Yvonne Bajela of Local Globe, and Luqman Edu, our co-founder and CEO. 2. The venture capital ecosystem with Maya Horgan Famodu, co-founder of Ingressive Capital. 3. Building sustainable talent pipelines with Adewale Yusuf, co-founder of TalentQL Inc. (Techstars '21) and AltSchool Africa. Whether you're a startup founder, global investor, or established corporation, Africa is open for business—and there’s no better time to get started. You should catch up on previous sessions and prepare for the next one via the Itana app: app.itana.africa, or visit itana.africa/events. 👈🏻

Africa is the next frontier for global business, but scaling into the continent requires the right strategy, deep insights, and expert guidance. That’s why we’re excited to launch “Your African Expansion Blueprint," a FREE 5-day email course designed to equip you with must-know strategies for success in Africa. 💚 This email marketing course will be led by our experts, Adetayo O. and Victor Famubode, who bring decades of experience in free zones, foreign investments, and policy development. This course will help you navigate complex local regulations, build high-performing local teams, create strategic partnerships, and ensure tax compliance and stability. Additionally, you’ll get access to a bonus African Expansion Readiness Kit to ensure your business is fully prepared to thrive across the continent. Whether you’re new to African markets or looking to expand further, this course will help you unlock your business’s potential. Sign up now and take the first step toward thriving in Africa’s business ecosystem! Click here to get started: https://lnkd.in/dyvFd87c 👈🏻

In recent times, we’ve seen numerous case studies on China’s rise to becoming a global economic powerhouse—and one thing is clear: this rise was no accident. 💯 Through strategic initiatives like special economic zones, robust vocational training, and policies such as the "Made in China" and "Thousand Talents Plan," China cultivated a highly skilled workforce, emerging as the global center for innovation and manufacturing. Africa now stands at a similar crossroads, brimming with opportunities to become a global leader in the digital economy. 💚 At Itana, we’re seizing this moment by building Africa’s first digital free zone—a hub for talent discovery, development, and deployment, amongst many others.  With our cutting-edge Itana district that will combine innovation, training, and world-class living spaces (our live, work, and play environment), we’re shaping the future of work and entrepreneurship in Africa. Learn how Africa can replicate China’s success: https://lnkd.in/gwizk7dr 👈

Are you ready to tap into Africa’s booming business market? We're inviting you to join us for the next edition of our "Itana Office Hour" session, a recurring event designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses navigate the African market seamlessly. 👌🏻 In this insightful session, our experts, Adetayo O., Director of Business and Compliance, and Victor Famubode, Head of Advisory and Government Affairs, will share practical advice and actionable insights on topics like business registration, banking, visa processing, and more in the Itana Zone. Whether you’re looking to launch your venture, expand into new markets, or streamline your operations, this is your opportunity to learn directly from the team shaping Africa’s first licensed digital-free zone management company. Bring your questions and connect with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs committed to scaling in Africa. 💚 📅 Date: 28 November, 2024 📍 Location: Virtual Click here to RSVP for this event now; https://lnkd.in/dp3nFQ8T 👈 Let’s redefine the future of business together!

Looking back at our time at GABI this year... Our CEO, Luqman Edu took the stage to present Itana’s vision for transforming business operations in Africa through digital free zones. 🌍 He shared how Itana empowers global companies, Pan-African startups, and digital businesses to incorporate remotely, open international bank accounts with ease, access Africa’s vibrant talent pool & market opportunities, streamline tax filings, visas, work permits, and more—all through our one-stop platform: The Itana App [app.itana.africa] At Itana, we simplify business processes across the continent, leveraging frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to make scaling seamless for businesses. Watch the highlight from GABI and learn how Itana is enabling a new era for digital business across Africa. 💚 www.itana.africa Video Credit: The GABI team

A while ago, a US-based startup planned a trip to attend a tech conference and do some market exploration in Nigeria (and the rest of Africa). To ensure they had a smooth experience and achieve their objectives, they needed a swift visa processing system for their managers and the rest of the team, actionable business insights into the Nigerian market, and hassle-free banking transactions during their stay. The team reached out to us, and we were able to cater to all of their needs! With our seamless visa processing service, our expert business advisory team, and pre-paid card (banking) solutions, we ensured the startup’s team arrived with ease while providing a seamless and truly remarkable experience during their stay in Nigeria. 💚 By the end of their trip, the team had everything they needed: connections to different relevant stakeholders for their business, insights into their industry niche, and the confidence to take the next step toward African expansion. 👌 If your business is planning a similar journey, Itana is here to make it effortless. To learn more about our visa processing services, click here- https://lnkd.in/dsFQCpP3 👈🏻

The government of Nigeria and Itana are building the free zone of the future, which will quickly become the best place to do business in tech and financial services across Africa. New from myself and Itana's Nella Andem-Ewa in fDi Intelligence:

With the rise of tech, finance, and service-based industries, Africa's business landscape is evolving. In this fDi Intelligence op-ed, Charter Cities Institute's Jeffrey Mason and I explore how digital special economic zones (SEZs) can create ideal ecosystems for these industries to thrive in Nigeria and across Africa. It also highlights Itana's pivotal role in building the critical infrastructure needed to drive Nigeria's SEZ ecosystem into the future: