Building Inclusive Tech Ecosystems: The Impact of DEI and Belonging on Nigeria's Innovative Startups

Nigeria’s tech startup ecosystem is one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation clusters. However, persistent challenges around diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and employees’ sense of belonging persist and may potentially limit innovation, talent retention, and scalable growth. This paper reviews literature and policy context for DEI and belonging in Nigeria’s technology sector. Furthermore, it synthesizes evidence linking inclusion to innovation, outlines an empirical research design for measuring the impact of DEI and belonging on startup performance in Nigeria, and offers actionable recommendations for founders, investors, and policymakers.