The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has described the agency’s collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a key driver of Nigeria’s technology innovation and startup ecosystem.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has described the agency’s collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a key driver of Nigeria’s technology innovation and startup ecosystem.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Survey on the Digitisation of Supply Chains in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms, organised by AGROVESTO — a JICA-funded agritech startup and beneficiary of NITDA’s iHatch Incubation Programme Cohort 2 — Inuwa said the partnership is contributing significantly to socio-economic transformation.
Represented by Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, Deputy Director, e-Government and Digital Economy Development Department, the NITDA boss noted that Nigeria is now one of Africa’s most vibrant startup hubs. He pointed to the rise of fintech companies as proof of this growth.
“Nigeria is home to over 200 fintech startups revolutionising financial services, fostering inclusion, and empowering millions,” Inuwa said, citing examples such as Paystack, Flutterwave, and Paga.
He highlighted the role of iHatch, a joint incubation and acceleration programme by NITDA and JICA, in supporting budding startups through training, mentorship, seed funding, and ecosystem support. He also underscored the importance of the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides incentives such as tax holidays, simplified registration, government-backed grants, technology parks, and regulatory sandboxes to lower barriers for innovators.
“These interventions are designed to stimulate investment, nurture talent, and position Nigerian startups for global competitiveness,” the DG explained. “Through strategic partnerships such as the one we enjoy with JICA, we are laying a strong foundation for sustainable growth, inclusive development, and global competitiveness. Nigerian innovations will not only solve local challenges but inspire the world.”
Chief Representative of JICA in Nigeria, Mr. Ishigame Kenji, commended AGROVESTO for their creativity and commitment, urging them to scale the initiative to benefit more farmers across the country.
In his remarks, AGROVESTO Co-founder and CEO, Bayo Adewoye, praised Nigerian farmers for their resilience and their contribution to national food security.
NITDA–JICA Partnership Driving Nigeria’s Startup Ecosystem — Inuwa
