Japan is providing US$10.4 million to establish a startup hub in Nigeria, in a move aimed at supporting digital entrepreneurship, technological development and job creation.
The facility, known as the Renewed Hope Startup Hub, will be located in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The Japan International Cooperation Agency is providing the grant in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency.
Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, laid the foundation stone for the facility.
Once completed, the hub will provide entrepreneurs with access to technology, incubation, mentorship and other support services to help develop their businesses.
Tinubu said the facility’s name reflected its alignment with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nigeria’s digital economy strategy aims to shift the country from being a technology consumer to becoming a producer, innovator and exporter. It also seeks to harness the digital sector to support the government’s ambition of growing the economy to US$1 trillion.
Hideo Suzuki, Japan’s ambassador to Nigeria, said the hub formed part of an expansion of cooperation between the two countries.
Japan and Nigeria have explored deeper collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital technology, critical minerals and skills development under broader bilateral frameworks.
Their relationship was further strengthened at the 10th Nigeria-Japan Special Partnership Forum, held in Abuja at the end of August.
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