The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has reaffirmed that the agency’s partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is playing a transformative role in advancing Nigeria’s innovation landscape and strengthening its startup ecosystem.
He made this known during the closing ceremony of the “Survey on the Digitisation of Supply Chains in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms,” a project executed by AGROVESTO, a JICA-funded Agritech startup and alumnus of NITDA’s iHatch Incubation Programme (Cohort 2). Represented by Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, Deputy Director, e-Government and Digital Economy Development Department, Inuwa described the collaboration as a key driver of Nigeria’s socio-economic progress through technology.
According to the NITDA boss, Nigeria is now recognized as one of Africa’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, where young innovators are leveraging technology to solve pressing local problems with global relevance. He highlighted the country’s flourishing fintech sector, noting that over 200 startups are transforming financial services and promoting inclusion, with success stories like Paystack, Flutterwave, and Paga standing out as examples of homegrown excellence.
Speaking further, Inuwa emphasized the impact of iHatch, a joint incubation and acceleration initiative by NITDA and JICA, which offers mentorship, training, seed funding, and strategic support to emerging startups across various sectors.
He also pointed out that the recently enacted Nigeria Startup Act is providing significant incentives to encourage innovation, including tax reliefs, simplified registration processes through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), government-backed funding opportunities, and access to innovation hubs, tech parks, and regulatory sandboxes.
“These measures are designed to boost investment, nurture talent, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian startups on the global stage,” he said, urging stakeholders across government, private sector, and investment circles to sustain their support for the ecosystem.
Inuwa added that collaborations like the one between NITDA and JICA are building a robust foundation for sustainable growth, inclusive development, and global recognition of Nigerian innovations.
In his remarks, JICA’s Chief Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Ishigame Kenji, applauded AGROVESTO for its creativity, commitment, and practical approach in executing the project. He encouraged the startup to scale the initiative to benefit more smallholder farmers nationwide.
AGROVESTO’s Co-founder and CEO, Bayo Adewoye, in his opening address, appreciated the resilience and dedication of Nigerian farmers, commending their vital contributions to national food security and economic stability.
