The iHatch Startup Incubation Programme is a 5-month free incubation program meant to assist Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) recently completed the third cohort of the iHatch Startup Incubation Programme working together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The iHatch Startup Incubation Programme is a 5-month free incubation program meant to assist Nigerian entrepreneurs in developing viable and scalable business models.

Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa, director general of NITDA, stated that the programme promotes the startup environment and empowers Nigeria's next generation of tech innovators.

“This partnership is a significant stride in our ongoing efforts to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, aligning with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) pillars of forging strategic partnerships and collaboration and nurturing an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” NITDA wrote on X.

During the closing ceremony of the iHatch third cohort in Abuja, Inuwa and Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Kazuyoshi Matsunaga celebrated the winners, emphasising the partnership’s significance in driving innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

Matsunaga pointed out Japan's commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable prosperity in Nigeria.

He also underlined the need of collaborative relationships to facilitate knowledge sharing, and deepen relations between Nigerian and Japanese industries.