Nigeria Signs Agreement with Japanese Consortium for $51.2 Million Startup Hub Project
The agreement is part of a bilateral effort to foster innovation, support emerging enterprises, and deliver a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced digital technologies and collaborative workspaces.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has formalized an agreement for the implementation of the Startup Hub Project with the Chief Consultant, a consortium comprising Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc., and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd. The consortium was engaged by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to carry out the initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
This development follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 10, 2025, by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Mr. Yuzurio Susumu, Chief Representative of JICA Nigeria Office, signed the MoU on behalf of the Japanese government. The agreement is part of a bilateral effort to foster innovation, support emerging enterprises, and deliver a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced digital technologies and collaborative workspaces.
The Startup Hub Project comprises two major components. The first is the development of a cutting-edge Startup Hub valued at $11.2 million, to be implemented by NITDA. The second component, worth $40 million, is the Project for the Development of a Supporting Environment for Social Startups in Nigeria, which will be executed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) .
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, praised the longstanding collaboration with JICA, particularly through the iHatch initiative, which has already created over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs. He commended the joint efforts to deepen connections between the Nigerian and Japanese technology ecosystems by facilitating exchange programs and providing a supportive environment for startups to thrive.
Inuwa noted that the project supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by contributing to economic diversification and building globally competitive, innovation-driven enterprises.
