The Government of Finland has announced that it will take the lead in a €23 million new Team Europe Initiative designed to enhance Nigeria’s digital public services and advance inclusive digital skills.

Finland’s development and training company, HAUS, will lead the implementation in partnership with Estonia’s development agency, ESTDEV, bringing together European expertise in digital government and public-sector innovation.

A statement in Abuja by the Press and Communications, Maria Ruuskanen explained that the initiative, titled “Support to Digital Public Services and Talent Management”, is valued at €23 million and fully funded by the European Union.

It also stated that it will form part of the EU–Nigeria Digital Economy Package under the Global Gateway strategy and aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020–2030 and the Ministry’s strategic priorities (2023–2027), in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

According to the statement,through the initiative, EU and its member states aim to:expand access to secure, interoperable and citizen-centric digital public services; strengthen institutional capacity and governance;and support the rollout of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

“By doing so, the programme will contribute to improving public service delivery, reinforcing trust in government, and creating new economic opportunities for citizens and businesses .Finland has a long and proven track record in secure digital governance, interoperability, and citizen centric public services.”

Ruuskanen further explained that they are bringing their expertise into the Team Europe Initiative, saying, “we are committed to supporting Nigeria in developing interoperable digital public services that meet the highest EU standards.”

“Our collaboration will strengthen cybersecurity and data protection practices, build institutional capacity, and expand inclusive digital access for both citizens and businesses. Together, we are helping to shape a trusted, transparent, and innovation driven digital future for Nigeria,” Sanna Selin, Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria added.