The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has lauded Nigeria’s partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), describing it as a key driver of the nation’s growing startup and innovation ecosystem.
Inuwa, who was represented by Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, Deputy Director, e-Government and Digital Economy Development Department, made this known at the closing ceremony of the *Survey on the Digitisation of Supply Chains in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms*. The event was organised by AGROVESTO, a JICA-funded agritech startup and beneficiary of NITDA’s iHatch Incubation Programme Cohort 2.
He said the collaboration is playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation, adding that the country has become one of Africa’s most vibrant startup hubs. According to him, young Nigerian entrepreneurs are leveraging technology to solve local problems with global relevance.
“Nigeria is home to over 200 fintech startups revolutionising financial services, fostering inclusion, and empowering millions,” Inuwa said, citing the successes of Paystack, Flutterwave, and Paga as examples.
Highlighting the role of iHatch, the NITDA boss explained that the joint incubation and acceleration programme with JICA provides training, mentorship, seed funding, and ecosystem support for startups across multiple sectors.
He also pointed to the Nigeria Startup Act as a policy framework that has lowered barriers for innovators through incentives such as tax holidays, simplified business registration, government-backed grants, innovation hubs, technology parks, and regulatory sandboxes.
“These interventions are designed to stimulate investment, nurture talent, and position Nigerian startups for global competitiveness,” he said, urging government, investors, and other stakeholders to sustain their support.
“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,” Inuwa added.
Also speaking, JICA’s Chief Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Ishigame Kenji, praised AGROVESTO for their innovation and urged the startup to expand its project to benefit more farmers nationwide.
In his opening remarks, AGROVESTO Co-founder and CEO, Bayo Adewoye, commended Nigerian farmers for their resilience and vital contributions to national food security.
