By Hauwa Ali
The director, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, KashifuInuwa, has applauded the Japan International Corporation Agency, JICA, for awarding three indigenous technology Startups in Nigeria with the sum of fourty five thousand dollars, $45000.
Inuwa made the applaud at the iHatch Demo Day to mark the end of the first Cohort I of the iHatchstartup incubation programm in Abuja on Wednesday.
The award which was through the ‘iHatch’ initiative gave each startup$15000 with Beta life solution emerging winner, whilXolani Health solution emerged second and Every Farmer solution, third.
Inuwa represented by the National Director of National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, NCAIR, YauGarba stated that the program was critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation drive and designed to train, mentor and empower promising Nigeria tech entrepreneurs.
The NITDA Boss also affirmed that the programme would boost Nigeria’s wealth creation drive through effective capacity building.
“This partnership is in furtherance to the commitment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in sustaining the promotion and growth of digital innovation and entrepreneurship, derived from of the seven (7) pillars of our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021-2024, on Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Promotion of Indigenous Content.
” This will invariably contribute to creation of jobs for our teeming youth and the prosperity of our country.It will in turn increase the number of Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) viz a viz sustaining the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy,” he stated.
He noted that Nigerian startups have continued to attract more investments than other countries on the continent, with a number of the startups raising about USD$600 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022.
“These clearly indicates the vast potentials that abound within Nigeria’s tech and innovation ecosystem,” Inuwa stressed.
He assured that NITDA was committed to working with relevant stakeholders and partners to improving incubation practices that support the creation of wealth and increase job opportunities for young Nigerians.
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He also expressed hope that the outcome of the iHatchStartup Incubation Programme “would greatly inspire more organizations to partner with us to build and expand the indigenous tech innovation space not only for our economic wellbeing but also for Nigerians to become active players in the global innovation-driven market”
The Chief Representative of JICA, in Nigeria, Mr. Susumu Yuzurio reaffirmed the support of the Japanese government in the digital transformation of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“The Japanese Government so underscore the importance investment in African digital transformation and ICT including the physical industrial policies and Human resources development.So those developed human resources are expected to accelerate innovation”
“With the digitalalisation of Africa and Nigeria economies as a means to unlock the growth potential and creating an environment for employment opportunities for the Nigerian population,” he assured.
Yuzurio urged the startups to use the knowledge acquired to improve their businesses.
“We are here for the conclusion of the iHatch it hope the the training received will serve in invaluable purposes .This show the growing interest of Nigeria in startup eco system.I encourage those seclect in the 2nd cohort to take advantage thier businesses to higher level,”he added.
The Acting National Coordinator, Office of the Nigerian Digital Innovation, Mr. Yakubu Musa, applauded JICA for the partnership and the DG NITDA support towards making IHatch Cohort success.
JICA Expert, Mr. Nao Fuwa while encouraging the innovators said with acquired knowledge what is more important is the mind set, attitude, passion and big vision in business.
The Demo Day was to give the participants an avenue to pitch their solutions to a team of Judges and the public, which will further guide them on their next steps with the support network present.
The Winner and Founder, BetaLife Company, Miss Favour James expressed gratitude to NITDA and JICA for the support. She said the company would expand by getting professional support, improve market strategy and more partnership in the blood bank ecosystem.
Beta is a health Tech Solutions that offers 24/7 real time blood donation and tracking request by connecting donors to patients.
The programme, iHatch, a 5 months free intensive technology incubation is among several programmes initiated by NITDA and its partners to help Nigerian entrepreneurs perfect their business ideas through a series of coaching, lectures and boot camps to generate a scalable business model in the country.
