In a major step toward driving economic reform, industrialisation, and digital innovation, the Federal Government of Nigeria has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to launch an $11.2 million innovation hub in Abuja.
The initiative, championed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is set to bolster the country’s startup ecosystem and accelerate the development of homegrown technologies.
Speaking at the formal signing of the Startup Hub Project agreement, NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, described the collaboration as a transformative milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s innovation and technology landscape.
“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,” Inuwa said.
“JICA is giving us a grant worth $11.2 million to build this innovation hub.”
The landmark partnership includes Japanese firms—Oriental Consultants Global Co. Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc., and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd.—who are serving as the chief consultants for the project.
Earlier in the year, Nigeria signed a broader $30 million grant agreement with JICA, which includes two major components: a $9.9 million project led by NITDA to establish the Startup Hub in Abuja, and a $21 million initiative to be implemented by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), focused on scaling social startups across the country.
According to Inuwa, the project had already kicked off with the launch of iHatch, a co-incubation initiative supported by JICA to nurture startups with training and seed funding.
“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 emphasized.
He further highlighted that the consultants have arrived and will soon commence the preliminary design work—marking the official takeoff of the implementation phase.
Inuwa praised the deepening ties between the Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems, noting that exchange programmes between the two countries have played a vital role in knowledge sharing, skills development, and fostering international collaboration among innovators.
The innovation hub is envisioned to serve as a dynamic centre for research, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It will offer essential infrastructure—mentorship, incubation support, and seed funding—required to help startups bridge the gap between ideation and market entry.
More than just a facility, the hub aims to become a springboard for Nigeria’s digital economy, positioning the country as a key innovation player on the African continent.