The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced the acquisition of a JPY 1.6 billion (USD 12.1 million) grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to develop a state-of-the-art startup hub in Abuja.
In a statement released by NITDA, the deal was formalised on Thursday through the signing of a strategic partnership with JICA. The signing ceremony took place at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja and marks a significant step forward in Nigeria–Japan relations, highlighting the shared commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
About the Project
NITDA stated that the upcoming startup hub is closely aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to establish Nigeria as a continental leader in the digital economy.
The project is focused on job creation, fostering private sector investment, and promoting inclusive economic growth. It is anticipated to serve as a springboard for nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
Spanning five years and eight months—from April 2025 to December 2030—the initiative will be jointly implemented by NITDA and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). The startup hub in Abuja is expected to become a central pillar of Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem and further the country’s ambition to emerge as a regional digital and innovation powerhouse.
NITDA–JICA Collaboration
Speaking on the long-standing collaboration between NITDA and JICA, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa highlighted the success of the iHatch initiative—an idea incubation programme co-developed with the Japanese agency.
“We have been collaborating with them on several initiatives like iHatch. The pilot phase alone led to the creation of over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs,” Inuwa said.
He added that the iHatch programme provides Nigerian startups with six months of incubation, drawing on JICA’s global expertise and resources to deliver market-ready innovations. NITDA and JICA are also expanding the programme to all 36 states and the FCT.
The partnership aims to strengthen the bridge between the Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems by fostering networking opportunities and sponsoring Nigerian startups to participate in tech events and programmes in Japan.
What You Should Know
In a related development, NITDA and JICA last month launched the “IgniteHer” Entrepreneurship Bootcamp in Abuja—a five-day intensive training designed to empower women entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
The IgniteHer programme is positioned as a catalyst for sustainable impact by tackling the structural barriers women face in entrepreneurship. It aims to promote greater inclusivity and equity in Nigeria’s digital economy through targeted support and capacity building for women-led ventures.