The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to launch the fourth edition of the iHatch program.
This initiative, which started in October 2024 and will run until January 2025, aims to boost Nigeria’s startup sector by providing capacity-building support for startups and innovation hubs across the country.
The iHatch Cohort 4 program will support 185 startups and 37 innovation hubs nationwide, offering a mix of mentorship, training, and investment readiness.
This initiative aligns with the government’s goal to diversify the economy and enable digital innovation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, the program is structured to provide startups with the tools to develop viable business models and scalable products.
By the end of the initiative, it is expected that 90% of participating startups will formalize their operations with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), 80% will create a minimum viable product (MVP) ready for market testing, and 30% will secure funding through grants, partnerships, or investments.
The combined efforts of startups and innovation hubs are projected to generate 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The program prioritizes high-impact sectors such as fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, and civic tech, which are critical to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
National Coordinator for the Office of Nigerian Digital Innovation and iHatch Programme Manager, Ms. Victoria Fabunmi, emphasized that the partnership with JICA and local innovation hubs aims to empower Nigerian entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into impactful enterprises while promoting a rich and inclusive digital economy.
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