Innovation: NITDA, JICA reward 5 top Nigerian startups with $37m, laptops at ‘iHatch Demo Day’ 2025

*The National Information Technology Development Agency and Japan International Cooperation Agency recognise and rewarded five top startup founders as ‘standout performers’ with $37 million at the recent ‘iHatch Demo Day’ event, stating the digital initiative reaffirms innovation is thriving across Nigeria, from cities to communities, and hubs to the national stage

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As innovation thrives across the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy, from cities to communities and hubs to the national stage in recent times, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have recognised and rewarded five top founders as standout performers at the recent “iHatch Demo Day”.

JICA is a Japanese Government agency as an “independent administrative institution” that delivers the bulk of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the Asian country’s government.

Nigeria bans students’ admissions, transfers into SS3 classes over exam malpractices at ‘special centres’

It also assists and supports developing countries like Nigeria, as the executing agency of ODA.

ConsumerConnect reports the NITDA and JICA successfully concluded the session, in which showcased Nigeria’s most promising startups to a critical audience of investors, hub managers, and policymakers in the West African country.

Established 2021, iHatch is a strategic partnership between the two organisations to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.

READ ALSO Tax Matters: Opposition Coalition Raises Concern Over Nigeria-France Digital Transformation MoU

QoS: NCC, Telecoms Stakeholders Addressing Network Outages Across FCT –Official

NITDA Chief Urges Innovation-Led Economic Rebirth At ‘Kano Startup Weekend’ Forum

According to NITDA, the programme directly reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Information Technology sector regulatory agency stated that the digital initiative offers a clear pathway for homegrown talents to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation in Nigeria.

The agency, in a statement via its verified social media account, also disclosed that after rigorous selection processes, the top startup founders converged to pitch their innovations.

Asserting that it “proudly recognises the standout performers”, NITDA presented the top innovative start founders with their prize money as follows:

1. Interface Africa: $15,000 – Driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
2. Ahioma: $12,000 – Enhancing food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
3. Linia Finance: $10,000 – Helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
4. Chapta: Laptop Reward – Delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
5. Softdrop: Laptop Reward – Solving logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.

Emphasising the significance of the initiative in the West African country’s digital ecosystem, NITDA averred: “(iHatch) Demo Day reaffirms innovation is thriving across Nigeria, from cities to communities, and hubs to the national stage.”

Kindly Share This Story