Centre for Information Technology and Development

What Centre for Information Technology and Development does

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is a Kano-headquartered Nigerian non-profit founded in 1996 that advances digital inclusion, ICT skills development, and digital rights across Northern Nigeria. It delivers training and programming through four thematic areas—Digital Rights and Inclusion (DIRAI), Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship (DISAE), Technology in Peace Building (TAPEB), and Technology, Innovation and Prosperity (TICAP)—serving women and girls, secondary school students, persons with disabilities (PWDs), underserved rural communities, and government policymakers. Its flagship current initiative, AGENDA-WINNIG, is an 18-month project targeting 20,120 women and girls in Kano and Bauchi states across digital literacy, online safety, and digital entrepreneurship streams; the organization also operates five community network hubs (Jama'are, Dakwa, HANAFARI, Tungan Ashere, Itas) providing connectivity and training across 12 underserved communities.

CITAD's product surface includes the AGENDA-WINNIG program, the Community Networks Programme with Starlink-equipped hubs, CITAD Radio (an online community radio station), a GBV Reporting App for anonymous gender-based violence case reporting, a dedicated PWD Digital Hub, the ILERIS monthly youth mentoring series, KANSIS (Kano Social Influencers Summit), and the Muazzam Institutes for Philosophy and Political Theory. Underlying technology centers on community network infrastructure (Starlink and similar connectivity at hubs), digital literacy platforms, CITAD Radio's online broadcast stack, a Fediverse/Mastodon decentralized social media server for privacy-focused engagement, and basic ICT training centers. The organization has begun integrating third-party AI tools (ChatGPT, Canva) as assistive technology in journalism training and is developing AI-based harmful-content monitoring and deepfake detection capabilities.

CITAD operates as a grant-funded non-profit with no disclosed pricing to end beneficiaries; services are delivered free of charge. Institutional revenue derives from international donors and partners including FCDO, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), ActionAid Nigeria, LocNet Initiative, and the Women in the Digital Economy Fund, with programmatic partnerships spanning NITDA, Bauchi State Bureau for ICT, KSSSSSMB, Ahmadu Bello University, and the National Teachers' Institute. The organization maintains offices in Kano (headquarters), Abuja, Bauchi, and Jigawa, and goes to market via community-led, event-driven, and training-of-trainers distribution models, with no disclosed revenue or audited budget figures available in the source material.

Name

Centre for Information Technology and Development

Legal name

Centre for Information Technology and Development

Website

https://citad.org.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is a Kano-based Nigerian non-profit that delivers digital inclusion, ICT skills, and digital rights programming to women, girls, persons with disabilities, and underserved rural communities across Northern Nigeria through community network hubs, training programs, and policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Inclusion and ICT Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAFAKAI

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Classroom Support Platforms

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/Accessibility, Assistive Technology & Special Needs EdTech

SECONDARYEDAGAKAJ

Accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Content Services

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Instructional Design & Content Development Services

SECONDARYEDAKABAL

Professional Development for Inclusive Practices (General Education Staff)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Inclusive Education & Mainstream Classroom Support

Keywords

• Digital inclusion
• Community network hubs
• Digital literacy training
• Digital rights advocacy
• Non-profit ICT development

Headquarters

HQ city

Kano

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: CITAD operates as a nonprofit organization primarily funded through grants from international development organizations and government agencies. Funding supports digital inclusion programs, training initiatives, and community network deployments.
2. Institutional Support: Support from organizations such as FCDO, Association for Progressive Communications (APC), ActionAid Nigeria, and LocNet Initiative for specific project implementation including community networks, gender digital divide programs, and policy advocacy.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CITAD is a non-profit organization that delivers digital skills training, operates community-based internet connectivity hubs, and runs digital inclusion programs targeting women, girls, youth, persons with disabilities, and underserved rural communities in Northern Nigeria. Its core offerings include the AGENDA-WINNIG gender digital inclusion project, five community network hubs providing internet access, CITAD Radio online broadcasting, mobile applications like the GBV Reporting App, and youth leadership development programs (ILERIS, Muazzam Institutes). Services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries through grant-funded programming.

Product overview

CITAD operates as a non-profit technology development organization with four main thematic areas (DIRAI, DISAE, TAPEB, TICAP) and multiple programs. The core offerings include digital skills training and inclusion programs like AGENDA-WINNIG targeting gender digital divide; community network connectivity hubs providing internet access to rural areas; CITAD Radio for community broadcasting; the GBV Reporting App for survivor support; and youth leadership programs like ILERIS and the Muazzam Institutes. The organization also conducts research on AI readiness and digital rights, with thematic focus spanning from digital literacy training to technology peacebuilding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AGENDA-WINNIG Project An 18-month digital inclusion program addressing the gender digital divide in Northern Nigeria, providing digital literacy, online safety, and entrepreneurship training for women and girls in Kano and Bauchi states. Targets 15,000 digitally literate women and girls, 15,000 trained in online safety, 5,000 in digital entrepreneurship, and 120 partner staff trained (total 20,120 participants).
• Community Networks Programme A community-driven connectivity initiative implementing internet access solutions in 12 underserved communities across Nigeria through five physical hubs: Jama'are Hub, Dakwa Hub, HANAFARI Hub, Tungan Ashere Hub, and Itas Hub. Each hub provides internet access, digital literacy, and local content development support.
• CITAD Radio An online radio station operated by CITAD for community engagement, broadcasting programs including DAGA KUNGIYOYIN DALIBAI, MURYAR MATASA, and FASAHAR ZAMANI DA RAYUWAR MASU BUKATA TAMUSAMMAN covering community reporting and digital literacy topics.
• CITAD GBV Reporting App A mobile application designed to help gender-based violence survivors report cases anonymously, access support resources, and connect with assistance services.
• ILERIS Youth Mentoring Programme A monthly youth mentoring programme focused on leadership development, accountability, and youth participation in governance through interactive reflection sessions (Inspiring Leadership Reflection Interactive Series).
• Training for Journalists with Disabilities A capacity-building training programme for journalists with disabilities covering digital journalism, AI-assisted tools (ChatGPT), Canva for visual storytelling, digital rights, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Includes dedicated PWD Digital Hub with specialized accessible digital tools.
• KANSIS (Kano Social Influencers Summit) A summit bringing together social influencers to discuss and promote digital development and technology adoption in Kano State.
• Muazzam Institutes for Philosophy and Political Theory An annual flagship program providing intensive philosophical and political theory education for young people to shift perspectives from hierarchical to collaborative thinking.
• JOPIS (Job Placement Information Services Unit) A service unit providing job placement information and services to connect trained individuals with employment and business opportunities.
• CITAD Fediverse/Mastodon Server A decentralized social media platform (Mastodon instance) providing privacy-focused alternative to mainstream social media, enabling data ownership and online autonomy for users.
• School of Community Networks A national training school that inducts and trains selected individuals from communities across Nigeria on local solutions for internet connectivity, with the fourth batch graduating 22 youths committed to connecting underserved communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 individuals trained in digital skills with emphasis on women, youth, and underserved communities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Partner Organizations (ToT Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 March 202628 participants from 20+ organizations including Girls Gate Initiative for Employment and Development, Kano State Qur'anic and Islamic Schools Management, Ministry of Women Affairs, FOMWAN, Isa Wali Empowerment, WRAPA, Zumuntan Mata Bauchi, Kibiya Technology and Innovation Hub, Science and Technology Schools Board.
• Democracy RadiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Media partnership to explore collaboration on digital inclusion, combating misinformation, and promoting responsible use of AI in journalism. Key areas include joint training for journalists, collaborative election observation, developing AI guidelines for newsrooms, and public awareness campaigns on digital rights.
• Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2025Annual partnership for Women Internet Governance Forum (WIGF), bringing together women leaders, academics, policymakers, and technology professionals to promote women's participation and visibility in digital governance.
• LocNet InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025LocNet supported the National Women's Circle Nigeria (2025) and Community-Centered Connectivity Initiative (CCCI). Harira Wakili serves as LocNet's National Gender Coordinator for Nigeria. The initiative focuses on advancing women's inclusion within community-centered connectivity.
• Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSSMB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to advance digital learning in secondary schools across Kano State. Discussions focused on expanding ICT-based educational programmes and creating opportunities for students to acquire critical digital skills. The Executive Secretary emphasized integration of ICT into teaching and learning processes as essential for the knowledge-based economy.
• Association for Progressive Communications (APC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPC provides support for the 'Greening and Feminist Centering of National Digital Transformation Agenda' project and Community-Centered Connectivity Initiative (CCCI). APC coordinates community networks globally and supports CITAD's digital policy work.
• ActionAid NigeriamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported three-day training for community champions to end gender-based violence in rural FCT, strengthening local response systems and building community capacity.
• Digital Bridge InstitutemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosted the two-day workshop on 'Engendering and Greening Digital Policies in Nigeria' as venue partner for training government officials and regulators.
• National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on AI readiness research and digital policy development. Dr. Salihu Abdulkarim presented on AI Readiness in Nigeria at CITAD's workshop on subnational AI adoption.
• Bauchi State Bureau for ICTmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPledged integration of participants into ICT training programs, committed free airtime for mentorship sessions, and provided financial support to participants during International Girls in ICT Day events.
• Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital EconomyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEngagement mentioned in digital transformation agenda discussions; stakeholders recommended increased government integration of digital literacy into curricula.
• National Communications Commission (NCC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAttended National Women's Circle meeting; represents regulatory body for community networks and digital connectivity initiatives.
• TechSocietalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in National Women's Circle Nigeria 2025, contributing to discussions on advancing women's inclusion in community-centered connectivity.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Internews: Global non-profit supporting independent media and access to information, with significant presence in Nigeria through partnerships like Democracy Radio. Comparable in digital literacy training, misinformation combat, and media development focus.
• Paradigm Initiative: Nigerian digital rights and inclusion NGO operating programs across multiple African countries. Directly comparable to CITAD in mission (digital rights, ICT for development), target beneficiaries (underserved communities, youth, women), and donor-funded non-profit model.
• Association for Progressive Communications (APC): Global network and grant-making organization supporting ICTs for social justice and sustainable development. APC is both a CITAD partner and a peer in community-centered connectivity, digital rights advocacy, and feminist digital policy work.
• Digital Rights Foundation (Pakistan): Pakistan-based digital rights NGO focused on online safety, gender-based violence response, and digital literacy. Directly comparable to CITAD in mission, GBV survivor support (mirroring CITAD's GBV Reporting App), and digital rights advocacy.
• Code for Africa: Africa's largest civic technology and data journalism initiative, with presence in multiple African countries including Nigeria. Comparable in mission to leverage technology for civic accountability, digital literacy, and combating misinformation.
• Tactical Tech: Global non-profit working at the intersection of technology and civil society, focused on digital literacy, data privacy awareness, and digital rights. Comparable in target audience (civil society, activists, marginalized communities) and approach to digital resilience training.

Emerging players

• Pollicy: Ugandan-based civic tech organization focused on data governance, digital rights, and inclusive technology policy in Africa. Comparable in mission and regional scope (Africa-focused) but slightly different operational model (more research and policy focused).

Broad incumbents

• Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB): Nigeria's leading technology innovation hub supporting startups, social enterprises, and tech talent. Overlaps with CITAD in digital skills development and youth empowerment, though CcHUB operates with a more commercial/incubator model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCitadradio
• Facebookfacebook.com/citadng

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Information Technology and Development