Nigeria has signed a new deal to supercharge its startup scene—this time with major backing from Japan. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) just sealed an agreement with a Japanese consortium to build a state-of-the-art startup hub in Abuja.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project brings together Oriental Consultants Global, Intem Consulting, and Yachiyo Engineering to deliver the next big thing in digital innovation spaces. It’s all part of a bigger plan to place Nigeria’s capital on the global tech map.
The project traces its roots to an April 2025 MoU signed between Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and JICA’s Nigeria Chief Representative, Mr. Yuzurio Susumu. The aim? To fuel entrepreneurship and transform Abuja into a launchpad for digital pioneers.
Two Projects, One Vision for Nigerian Startups
This isn’t a standalone investment. It’s a two-pronged project worth $51.2 million in total. The first leg, spearheaded by NITDA, is a $11.2 million facility set to host innovation labs, shared workspaces, and cutting-edge tech infrastructure.
The second leg, a $40 million initiative led by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), will expand support for social startups across the country, helping bridge economic and digital gaps.
NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, praised the move as a natural extension of Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with Japan. He pointed to earlier programmes like iHatch, which have already created “over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect ones.”
Tech Diplomacy and the Promise of Inclusive Growth
The partnership is more than a construction project. It deepens growing ties between Nigeria and Japan’s tech sectors. From exchange programmes to joint innovation projects, both countries are betting on mutual growth and shared expertise.
Inuwa explained that this startup hub also matches President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a broader economic plan that leans heavily on innovation and job creation to drive national progress.
“We’re building enterprises that can compete globally,” Inuwa added.
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