Digital Technology Evolution Foundation (DTEF)
Created 13 years ago, the Digital Technology Evolution Foundation (DTEF) is a nonprofit organisation with a proven track record in digital economy strategy, SME development, innovation policy, and digital skills capacity building across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the years, DTEF has:
Influenced more than ten national and regional policies on innovation, SME growth, and digital transformation, including shaping Sierra Leone’s National Innovation Strategy and Nigeria’s Digital Literacy Framework.
Trained over 2,000 youth and entrepreneurs through digital literacy and business development programs, many of whom have formalised SMEs or launched technology-enabled ventures.
Organised and facilitated 30+ multi-stakeholder workshops and dialogues involving more than 600 policymakers and regulators across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Kenya, promoting participatory governance in policymaking.
Supported startup ecosystems by connecting hundreds of early-stage ventures to legal, policy, and capacity-building resources.
Partnered with institutions such as ECOWAS and GIZ to design inclusive policy implementation frameworks used as models in multiple African countries.
This mix of policy influence, capacity building, and ecosystem development demonstrates DTEF’s credibility, continuity, and governance maturity, making it a trusted institutional anchor complementing DigitA’s execution-focused approach and Kobba & Co.’s local legal expertise.
DTEF also gave birth to DigitA — a for-profit policy advisory and execution arm established to extend the Foundation’s impact by delivering hands-on innovation legislation and startup ecosystem reforms across Africa.
Our Work and Impact
Authored 15+ policy studies and briefs on digital literacy, SME legislation, and innovation ecosystems that directly informed national innovation strategies in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
Convened multi-country forums and dialogues, reaching over 1,500 stakeholders across Sub-Saharan Africa, strengthening cross-border policy learning.
Delivered 30+ workshops and seminars to regulators, civil servants, and entrepreneurs, training 600+ participants on digital policy, startup governance, and SME support frameworks.
Developed Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks to track ecosystem reforms, supporting governments in assessing policy impact and adapting strategies.
Implemented regional digital skills programs training 2,000+ youth and entrepreneurs, leading to increased SME formalisation and improved startup survival.
Piloted gender-responsive programs ensuring active representation of women and youth in innovation policymaking and ecosystem design.
Provided over 10 years of continuous institutional support in digital policy reform across multiple African countries.
Collaborated with ECOWAS, GIZ, and national innovation agencies to institutionalise public–private dialogue and stakeholder consultations in policymaking.