Nigeria, JICA to launch $11.2m innovation hub to strengthen startup ecosystem

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency, affirms the landmark innovation project is geared towards implementing the Presidential priority area of reforming the Nigerian economy for sustained inclusive growth, accelerated diversification, industrialisation and digitisation

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced the commencement of $11.2 million innovation hub in Abuja, a transformative initiative in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, who stated this affirmed the landmark move is geared towards implementing the Presidential priority area of reforming the economy.

According to him, this effort is geared towards sustaining inclusive growth and accelerating diversification through industrialisation and digitisation.

Inuwa disclosed the digital innovation project is being designed to further strengthen Nigeria’s innovation and technology ecosystem.

NITDA said the partnership is a collaboration with the Chief Consultant, Consortium of Oriental Consultants Global Company Limited, Intem Consulting Inc., and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Limited.

The agency also noted the collaboration was formalised with the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the Startup Hub Project.

On the objective of the project, the NITDA revealed it is backed by a $11.2 million grant from JICA, and designed to significantly boost Nigeria’s innovation landscape by providing vital infrastructure and support for startups and serving as a centre for creativity, research, and technological development.

Earlier 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria had entered into a $30 million grant agreement with JICA for the establishment of Startup Hubs, in Abuja, FCT.

According to agency, the Startup Hub Project consists of two major components: the first, a $9.9 million initiative to be implemented by NITDA, focuses on the development of a dedicated Startup Hub; the second, valued at $21 million and to be executed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

It restated that the aim is to create a supportive environment for the growth of social startups across the country.

In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Inuwa disclosed that the project began with the launch of the iHatch, an initiative designed to co-train and incubate startups, supported with seed funding by JICA.

He stated: “To strengthen this relationship, JICA decided to give us a grant to build an innovation hub, so that after training the startups, they can have access to a makerspace where they can turn their ideas into products and services, JICA is giving us a grant worth of $11.2 million to build this innovation hub.”

The Director-General of NITDA commended the collaborative efforts aimed at deepening the relationship between the Nigerian and Japanese technology ecosystems. He as well highlighted the importance of ongoing exchange programmes.

Such exchange programmes, he said, not only foster knowledge sharing and skills transfer but also open new avenues for collaboration between innovators in both countries.

These initiatives are instrumental in creating a more enabling environment for Nigerian startups to grow into sustainable, innovation-driven enterprises capable of competing on a global scale, stated he.

Inuwa explained: “It’s about building the entire ecosystem; we are not just training startups.

“We are also giving them the tools, the environment, and the financing they need to thrive.”

He noted the consultants have arrived, and are set to begin the preliminary design work, marking the official commencement of the project’s implementation phase.

Inuwa stated that beyond infrastructure, the proposed hub is envisioned as a catalyst for economic growth by nurturing homegrown talent and promoting entrepreneurship.

The agency stressed that the project would serve as a critical bridge between training and commercialisation, offering a conducive environment for startups to ideate, experiment, and scale their businesses.

By equipping innovators with the resources that they need to thrive, such as mentorship, incubation support, and access to seed funding, the project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading tech and innovation hub in Africa, NITDA stated.