The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its dedication to positioning the country as a global leader in technology innovation and entrepreneurship through the iHATCH startup incubation program. The announcement came during the closing ceremony for the program’s third cohort, held in Abuja.
The iHATCH program, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is designed to cultivate a vibrant tech ecosystem in Nigeria. The initiative aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which focuses on fostering strategic partnerships and nurturing an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
NITDA Director-General, Inuwa Abdulkadir, highlighted the programme’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priorities, including accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, and innovation. He noted the success of previous cohorts, which have created significant employment opportunities. The third cohort expands the program to five locations: Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe, building on the achievements of the first two cohorts.
The program supports young entrepreneurs by pairing them with co-founders, guiding them through the incubation process, and teaching them fundamental business skills. Inuwa urged JICA to consider expanding the initiative to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and expressed interest in leveraging the program to export Nigerian talent to Japan.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, praised the program for fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable development. He emphasized Japan’s commitment to building partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange and highlighted the progress of the startups involved.
The ceremony also saw three startups receive cash prizes: Northinho ($15,000), Dorpals Technologies ($12,000), and Connected ($10,000). Northinho’s founder, Mr. Abubakar Umar, expressed gratitude for the support and encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to persist in their endeavors.
Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, commended the participants and expressed appreciation for Japan’s support, emphasizing the program’s role in showcasing Nigerian innovation and creativity.
The iHATCH program continues to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s tech landscape, driving innovation and supporting the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
