Nigeria is setting its sights on becoming a major player in the global technology scene. The government has laid out a clear plan to push the country to the forefront of tech innovation and entrepreneurship. This vision was shared by Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), at the close of the third round of the iHATCH startup incubation program in Abuja.
The iHATCH program, which NITDA runs in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is a key part of this plan. It’s designed to build a strong tech ecosystem in Nigeria. Inuwa highlighted that this partnership fits perfectly with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which prioritizes working together and encouraging innovation across the country.
According to Inuwa, the iHATCH program plays a crucial role in creating a lively environment for startups. It’s about giving the next generation of tech innovators the tools and support they need to thrive, which, in turn, will help Nigeria become a global tech hub.
Inuwa also connected this initiative to the broader goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which focuses on industrialization, digitization, and innovation as key drivers of national development.
During his speech, Inuwa pointed out the success of the iHATCH program’s first two rounds, which led to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs. This success has motivated the expansion of the third round to five major cities: Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe.
“Our aim is to give young entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, and support they need to turn their innovative ideas into successful, scalable businesses,” Inuwa said. He also encouraged participants to develop a mentoring platform to help new startups and urged JICA to expand the program across the country to reach even more people.
The event underscored the importance of international partnerships in Nigeria’s tech journey.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s growth in entrepreneurship. He stressed the value of knowledge sharing and collaboration between Nigerian and Japanese companies, pointing out the potential benefits for both sides.
Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, praised the participants for their hard work and thanked the Japanese government for their ongoing support of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
The event also celebrated the successes of the program’s participants. Three startups were awarded cash prizes to help them further develop their businesses. Northinho, founded by Mr. Abubakar Umar, received $15,000. Dorpals Technologies was awarded $12,000, and Connected received $10,000.
Expressing his gratitude, Umar thanked NITDA and JICA for their thorough training and support. He encouraged others to stay committed to their entrepreneurial journey, saying, “Believe in your work, even if your ideas are still developing. Keep pushing forward, and one day, you’ll be proud of how far you’ve come.”
