The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has formally signed an agreement with a Japanese consortium to kick off the highly anticipated Abuja Startup Hub Project, a multibillion-naira initiative designed to drive innovation, empower startups, and fuel Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Japanese consortium comprises Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc., and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd., all engaged under the auspices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is financing the project.

This agreement follows an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 10, 2025, between Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and Mr. Yuzurio Susumu, Chief Representative of JICA’s Nigeria Office. That MoU set the foundation for a strategic partnership aimed at building a world-class startup ecosystem in Nigeria’s capital city.

A Dual-Focus Innovation Project Worth Over $51 Million

According to NITDA, the Abuja Startup Hub Project features two key components:

1. Digital Startup Hub (Managed by NITDA):

   • Backed by $11.2 million in funding, this component will establish a cutting-edge digital hub equipped with smart infrastructure, co-working spaces, high-speed internet, and incubation centers.

   • It will serve as a launchpad for early-stage startups, offering mentorship, access to venture capital, and business development support.

2. Social Startups Support (Led by NSIA):

   • The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will manage the second leg, a $40 million initiative aimed at fostering the growth of socially impactful startups focused on sectors like health, education, clean energy, and agriculture.

   • This effort will create a nationwide network of support systems to scale innovations tackling Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

Together, these components represent a $51.2 million investment in Nigeria’s tech future.

Laying the Groundwork for Innovation and Jobs

Speaking at the signing ceremony, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, praised the deepening relationship between Nigeria and Japan, citing earlier successes such as the iHatch incubation programme. The initiative, launched in partnership with JICA, has already generated over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs, according to NITDA.

Inuwa emphasized that the Abuja Startup Hub will accelerate President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive growth, youth employment, and economic diversification through digital innovation.

“This project is not just about infrastructure; it’s about building a future-proof Nigeria by nurturing our most promising entrepreneurs. It’s a blueprint for how international partnerships can help us create jobs and reposition our economy,” Inuwa said.

He added that the hub will help address Nigeria’s startup funding and infrastructure gaps while catalyzing the formation of globally competitive, innovation-driven enterprises.

Five-Year Rollout from 2025 to 2030

The project is scheduled to span five years and eight months, running from April 2025 through December 2030. NITDA and NSIA will jointly oversee its implementation, ensuring the project aligns with both national priorities and international standards.

Throughout this period, stakeholders expect the hub to:

• Support hundreds of startups with physical infrastructure, seed funding, and business advisory services

• Host national hackathons, pitch competitions, and accelerator programmes

• Provide training and certification in emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, data science, and cybersecurity

• Attract foreign direct investment and venture capital inflows into Nigeria’s growing tech landscape

Japan-Nigeria Tech Relations Strengthen

This agreement reinforces the growing collaboration between Nigeria and Japan’s tech ecosystems. According to Inuwa, the two countries are now more connected than ever through:

• Startup exchange programmes

• Collaborative research and development (R&D)

• Cross-border networking events

• Technology transfer initiatives

“NITDA and JICA are actively bridging the Nigerian and Japanese tech worlds. We’re making sure our startups can access global opportunities while also learning from one of the most innovative countries in the world,” Inuwa stated.

As part of this relationship, several Nigerian startups have already been sponsored to visit Japan, attend international tech expos, and meet potential partners and investors.

A Foundation for the Future

The Abuja Startup Hub is poised to become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. With Abuja being home to many federal institutions and now an emerging tech hub, the project is expected to:

• Serve as a center of excellence for startup incubation and technology research

• Promote the digitization of government services through public-private innovation

• Stimulate regional development, especially in underrepresented sectors and communities

In the broader context, the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which seeks to transform the country into a leading digital economy by 2030.

Final Thoughts

The Abuja Startup Hub Project marks a milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of digital sovereignty and economic innovation. With the support of global partners like JICA and Japanese engineering giants, Nigeria is making tangible moves to build sustainable, tech-driven prosperity.

As implementation begins in earnest, the real work lies ahead: cultivating a new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs who can solve Nigeria’s biggest challenges, create wealth, and put the country on the global innovation map.