NITDA and Japan Seal Partnership for $11.2 Million Abuja Startup Hub Project

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has formalised a strategic agreement with a consortium of Japanese firms for the implementation of the Abuja Startup Hub Project, a major initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s digital innovation landscape.

The consortium, made up of Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc., and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd., is engaged by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is financing the project.

This latest agreement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2025 between Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and the Chief Representative of JICA’s Nigeria Office. The MoU laid the foundation for deeper collaboration on innovation, enterprise development, and the creation of a world-class digital hub in Nigeria’s capital.

The Abuja Startup Hub Project is a dual-component initiative. The first component, led by NITDA, involves the establishment of a cutting-edge startup hub backed by \$11.2 million in funding. This facility will provide collaborative workspaces and advanced technology infrastructure for Nigeria’s growing community of digital entrepreneurs. The second component, valued at $40 million and executed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), focuses on building an enabling environment for social startups across the country, creating a wider platform for inclusive innovation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasised the agency’s deepening partnership with JICA, particularly through the iHatch programme, which has already created over 117 direct and 370 indirect jobs. He highlighted the broader impact of this collaboration, which includes startup exchange programmes, shared initiatives, and a long-term vision to foster globally competitive enterprises that will drive Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Abuja Startup Hub Project aligns closely with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive economic growth, technology-driven development, and private sector investment. NITDA has reiterated that the hub is not just a facility, it is a vehicle for job creation, economic diversification, and the empowerment of Nigeria’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

Scheduled to run from April 2025 through December 2030, the project spans nearly six years. During this time, NITDA and NSIA will jointly oversee its execution. The startup hub is expected to emerge as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem, helping the country to solidify its position as a regional leader in digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

NITDA’s collaboration with JICA signals a strategic shift in Nigeria’s approach to innovation partnerships, bridging the Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems. According to Inuwa, this cross-border engagement is already creating new opportunities for Nigerian startups, including participation in global activities hosted in Japan. The initiative marks a significant step in advancing Nigeria’s ambitions in technology, job creation, and sustainable development.