The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has secured a 12.1 million dollar grant (JPY 1.6 billion) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to build a startup hub in Abuja. The agency announced this after signing a strategic partnership with JICA on Thursday.
The signing ceremony took place at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja. NITDA described the deal as a major step forward in Nigeria-Japan relations and a show of their shared interest in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital growth.
This project supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to boost Nigeria’s digital economy. The startup hub will focus on creating jobs, encouraging private-sector investment, and supporting inclusive economic growth. It is expected to help raise a new generation of Nigerian tech entrepreneurs.
With the 12.1 million dollar grant, the hub will run for five years and eight months, starting in April 2025 and ending in December 2030. NITDA will work with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to manage and implement the project.
NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, praised the partnership with JICA, calling it a success story. He highlighted the iHatch initiative, which both organizations co-designed to support idea incubation. The pilot phase of iHatch created over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs. The agency plans to expand the program to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Inuwa also revealed that both parties are working to connect Nigeria and Japan’s tech ecosystems. Their efforts include sponsoring Nigerian startups to take part in tech programs in Japan.
Last month, NITDA and JICA also launched the “IgniteHer” Entrepreneurship Bootcamp in Abuja. This five-day program empowers women entrepreneurs and promotes gender inclusion in Nigeria’s digital economy by helping women overcome key business barriers.
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