The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has said Nigeria’s collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is driving the country’s technology innovation and startup ecosystem to new heights.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Survey on the Digitisation of Supply Chains in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms, organised by AGROVESTOa JICA-funded agritech startup and beneficiary of NITDA’s iHatch Incubation Programme, Cohort 2, Inuwa, represented by Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, Deputy Director of the e-Government and Digital Economy Development Department, described the partnership as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation.
NITDA is accelerating Nigeria’s digital future through powerful strategic partnerships, with the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) reaffirming this commitment at the launch of Agrovesto’s digital agriculture platform.
The Director General, @KashifuInuwa, who was… pic.twitter.com/GSnth0KLUE
— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) September 25, 2025
He noted that Nigeria now hosts one of Africa’s most vibrant startup ecosystems, with young entrepreneurs using technology to solve local challenges with global implications. “Nigeria is home to over 200 fintech startups revolutionising financial services, fostering inclusion, and empowering millions,” Inuwa said, citing success stories such as Paystack, Flutterwave, and Paga.
Highlighting the role of iHatch, a joint incubation and acceleration programme by NITDA and JICA, Inuwa explained that it provides training, mentorship, seed funding, and ecosystem support to startups across multiple sectors.
He further emphasised that the recently enacted Nigeria Startup Act has created incentives to lower barriers for innovators, including tax holidays, easier registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), government-backed grants, innovation hubs, technology parks, and regulatory sandboxes.
According to the NITDA DG, these measures are aimed at stimulating investment, nurturing talent, and positioning Nigerian startups for global competitiveness. He urged stakeholders, from government agencies to investors, to continue supporting the ecosystem.
“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,” he concluded.
Also speaking, Chief Representative of JICA in Nigeria, Mr. Ishigame Kenji, commended AGROVESTO for their dedication and creativity in implementing the project, urging them to expand the initiative to reach more farmers across Nigeria.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, AGROVESTO Co-founder and CEO, Bayo Adewoye, lauded Nigerian farmers for their hard work and contribution to national food security.
