NITDA, JICA To Train 185 Startups Nationwide

In the Idea Hatch (iHatch) Cohort 4 program, 37 innovation hubs and 185 businesses will receive training from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, the agency’s Director of Corporate Communications and External Relations, made this claim.

The initiative, themed “Fostering Innovation, Building Ecosystems, Scaling Startups,” will formally begin in October 2024 and extend through January 2025, will give 37 innovation hubs and 185 companies in Nigeria the tools they need to grow and thrive in both domestic and international markets.

iHatch Cohort 4 is an essential component of NITDA’s Digital Economy Policy, which aims to promote entrepreneurship, stimulate economic growth, and generate employment by offering firms customized training, investment preparedness, and mentorship.

“This project reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, focusing on economic diversification and the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“The iHatch programme is uniquely structured to provide comprehensive support to both startups and innovation hubs across the nation. The programme, with its dual approach, would also strengthen the capacity of innovation hubs to act as sustainable incubators for local entrepreneurs.

“By the end of the program, 80 percent of firms would have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) that is suitable for market testing, and 90 percent will incorporate with the Corporate Affairs Commission, she said.

She also stated that “1,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created through the startup and hub ecosystem and that 30% of firms will obtain funding from investors, grants, or collaborations made possible by the initiative.

“70 percent of startups will remain operational six months after the programme, demonstrating long-term sustainability.

According to Umar, Nigeria is poised to take the lead in Africa’s digital revolution.

“The iHatch Cohort 4 initiative was in line with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which aimed to support innovation-driven companies (IDEs) and establish a robust knowledge economy.

“By focusing on both startups and hubs, the programme will catalyse economic diversification, job creation, and technology-driven solutions that will address local challenges and contribute to global competitiveness.

“The programme is also a direct contribution to the Nigerian Startup Act, which aims to foster an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive,” she added.

Umar said that applications for startups and innovation hubs were open, and interested applicants were encouraged to apply through the official iHatch website.

She said interested applicants should visit programs.startup.gov.ng/ihatch, or follow NITDA on social media at NITDANigeria and ONDINigeria.

Manomsi Mallum/NAN