Nigeria’s startup ecosystem gained fresh momentum at the iHatch National Demo Day, where promising early-stage ventures attracted funding and national attention, with Interface Africa emerging as the overall winner and securing a $15,000 top prize.
The event marked the finale of the 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed iHatch accelerator programme, held in Abuja. It brought together startup founders, policymakers, investors, and innovation stakeholders to showcase solutions spanning clean energy financing, digital commerce, fintech, education technology, and logistics.
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Participating startups advanced through multiple stages, including state-level screenings and regional competitions, before pitching at the national demo day. Launched in 2021, iHatch is a strategic partnership between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), designed to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop, refine, and scale innovative ideas.
The programme aims to position homegrown technology talent as a key driver of economic diversification and digital transformation in Nigeria.
Following a rigorous selection and pitch process, standout startups were rewarded as follows:
Interface Africa won the top prize of $15,000 for its role in accelerating Nigeria’s clean energy transition through structured and affordable solar financing solutions.
Ahioma received $12,000 for its digital food marketplace that connects consumers directly with trusted vendors, improving food accessibility.
Linia Finance secured $10,000 for its personal finance tools that help users budget, track spending, and plan smarter financial decisions.
Two additional startups received laptop awards in recognition of their innovative solutions. Chapta was rewarded for its offline-capable school application designed to ensure consistent and accessible learning, while Softdrop earned recognition for its modern logistics platform aimed at improving delivery speed, convenience, and efficiency.
The iHatch National Demo Day once again highlighted the depth of innovation within Nigeria’s startup landscape and reinforced the growing role of accelerators in nurturing scalable, impact-driven ventures.
