In a major boost for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, the country has secured a $12.1 million grant from Japan to establish a cutting-edge startup hub in Abuja, aimed at positioning the city as a key player in the global tech innovation space. The grant, provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will fund the project from April 2025 to December 2030.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) announced the partnership in a statement on Thursday, following the signing ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja. The project will be managed by NITDA in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to foster digital innovation, attract private capital, and create jobs for Nigeria’s growing workforce. According to the statement, the Abuja Startup Hub will serve as a catalyst for the country’s tech sector, providing the resources and support necessary for startups to thrive and potentially develop into Nigeria’s next tech unicorns.
Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of NITDA, expressed excitement over the partnership with JICA, highlighting that it is not the first collaboration between the two entities. Last year, they launched iHatch, a six-month startup incubator program that resulted in the creation of 117 direct jobs and 370 indirect jobs. NITDA plans to expand this program across all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Inuwa stated, “The collaboration with JICA has already yielded tremendous results, and now, we are scaling our efforts to support even more Nigerian startups through this new hub.”
With the grant, NITDA hopes to provide Nigerian startups with comprehensive incubation services, leveraging JICA’s expertise and resources to help them develop market-ready products. This move is expected to further elevate Nigeria’s position as a tech hub in Africa, offering both local and international entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to succeed.
This initiative reflects Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and enhance its position as a leading digital and tech innovation hub on the continent
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