Responding directly to NASENI’s compelling call for a unified innovation strategy and a tech-driven future for West Africa, Nigeria has forged a powerful partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to drive technological advancement, foster entrepreneurship, and unlock sustainable economic growth. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on April 10, 2025, represents a significant commitment to investing in the region’s future and serves as an inspiring example of how West African nations can collaborate to achieve shared prosperity.
This landmark agreement will establish a state-of-the-art USD 11.2-million Startup Hub, spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which will provide aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups with access to cutting-edge digital infrastructure, collaborative workspaces, mentorship programs, and a supportive ecosystem designed to accelerate their growth and success. In addition, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will play a critical role in managing a USD 40-million support program specifically designed for social startups, providing crucial funding, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives to ventures that are focused on addressing pressing social and environmental challenges within the region.
NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi emphasized the remarkable success and tangible impact of the iHatch program, a previous collaboration with JICA, which has already created numerous job opportunities, fostered a vibrant entrepreneurial culture, and contributed to the development of a thriving tech ecosystem in Nigeria. He further highlighted the strategic alignment of these new initiatives with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambitious Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing their critical role in diversifying the Nigerian economy, enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in the global tech landscape, attracting foreign direct investment, and creating sustainable pathways for inclusive economic growth and long-term prosperity.
This strategic collaboration between Nigeria and JICA serves as a powerful and inspiring example of how West African nations can work together, leverage their collective strengths, and embrace the transformative power of technology to unlock their vast potential, foster innovation, and build a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for all their citizens. By investing in education, supporting entrepreneurship, and creating enabling environments for innovation, West Africa can emerge as a global leader in the 21st century and secure a brighter future for generations to come.
