The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has stated that Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is significantly accelerating the country’s technology innovation drive and strengthening its startup ecosystem.
Inuwa, who was represented by Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, Deputy Director of the e-Government and Digital Economy Development Department, made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Survey on the Digitisation of Supply Chains in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms. The project was executed by AGROVESTO, a JICA-funded agritech startup and alumnus of NITDA’s iHatch Incubation Programme (Cohort 2).
He described the NITDA–JICA partnership as a “cornerstone for Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation,” noting that Nigeria has grown into one of Africa’s most vibrant startup ecosystems with young innovators deploying technology to address domestic challenges with global relevance.
ALSO: 13 Female-Led African Startups Raised Over $45 Million in 2025 Despite Funding Slowdown
“Nigeria is home to over 200 fintech startups revolutionising financial services, fostering inclusion, and empowering millions,” he said, spotlighting the success stories of Paystack, Flutterwave, and Paga as examples of Nigeria’s global impact.
Inuwa highlighted the role of iHatch, the joint NITDA–JICA incubation and acceleration programme in equipping early-stage startups with mentorship, training, seed funding, and essential ecosystem support across sectors.
He also pointed to the Nigeria Startup Act as a major catalyst for innovation, offering incentives such as tax holidays, simplified Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration, government-backed grants, technology hubs, innovation parks, and regulatory sandboxes.
According to him, these measures are strategically designed to stimulate investor confidence, nurture local talent, and position Nigerian startups for global competitiveness. He urged government institutions, private investors, and development partners to sustain and deepen their support for the ecosystem.
“Through strategic partnerships such as the one we enjoy with JICA, we are laying the foundation for sustainable growth, inclusive development, and global competitiveness. Nigerian innovations will not only solve local challenges but inspire the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Representative of JICA in Nigeria, Mr. Ishigame Kenji, commended AGROVESTO for its commitment, creativity, and proactive execution of the project. He encouraged the startup to scale its solutions to reach more smallholder farmers nationwide.
AGROVESTO’s Co-founder and CEO, Bayo Adewoye, in his opening remarks, praised Nigerian farmers for their resilience and vital role in safeguarding the nation’s food security.
Comments 2