Kano, Nigeria – January 5, 2026 – The Digital Development Hub (DD Hub) today marks a decisive leap in Kano’s digital economy, transitioning from skills training to tangible enterprise creation. Following a landmark Demo Day held from January 1-3, 2026, showcasing the capstone projects of 200 newly skilled youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities, the Hub announced the selection of 40 high-potential ventures for a flagship incubation program launching this year.
The Demo Day celebrated the conclusion of DD Hub’s intensive three-month Tech Bridge Fellowship, a hands-on, technology-based TVET initiative. The fellowship equipped participants with high-demand digital competencies—including Digital Content Creation & Management, Precision Agriculture & GIS, and Digital Product Design & Management—culminating in prototypes and business models presented to stakeholders, mentors, and ecosystem partners.
“The Demo Day was a proof of concept. The incubation program is our proof of impact,” stated Abdulganiyu Rufai Yakub, CEO of DD Hub and Project Coordinator. “We are moving decisively from the classroom to the marketplace. Our mission is clear: to convert acquired skills into economic assets—either by creating globally competitive professionals or by building scalable, registered businesses that anchor local wealth.”
A Dual-Engine Strategy for Economic Mobility
The Hub is implementing a strategic two-track model to ensure no talent is left behind:
The Venture Builder Track (For 40 MSMEs/Startups): Selected entrepreneurs will enter a rigorous three-month incubation sprint designed for rapid commercialization. Support includes business model optimization, regulatory registration, investor-ready pitch development, direct investor matchmaking, go-to-market strategy execution, and digital transformation advisory. This track targets systemic job creation and wealth generation within Kano’s most vulnerable communities.
The Global Talent Track (Skills Specialization): Fellows on this path will advance through targeted apprenticeships and on-the-job learning, credentialed by international and local certifications from leading bodies. The objective is to position them for high-value outsourcing roles in the global digital economy, securing dignified income and building Kano’s reputation as a hub of skilled human capital.
Anchoring Inclusive Growth in Kano
This initiative represents a critical investment in Kano’s socio-economic fabric. By focusing on inclusive participation and aligning training outputs with both global opportunities and local entrepreneurial gaps, DD Hub is tackling unemployment and underemployment at their roots. The model ensures digital advancement translates directly into livelihood improvement, community resilience, and a more diversified local economy.
“We are not just training individuals; we are de-risking entrepreneurship and professional growth for those often excluded,” Yakub emphasized. “Whether our graduate is a young woman securing a contract with an international firm or a team launching a GIS-powered agricultural service, they are now economic actors driving Kano’s future.”
About Digital Development Hub (DD Hub):
The Digital Development Hub is a leading force in Northern Nigeria’s digital transformation, dedicated to building an inclusive and sustainable tech ecosystem. Through pragmatic skills development, venture incubation, and ecosystem advocacy, DD Hub empowers individuals and MSMEs to thrive in the digital age, fostering job creation, innovation, and broad-based economic prosperity.