CurrentReport Blog Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, has reiterated Japan’s dedication to supporting entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria. In a recent event, he highlighted the Japanese government’s keen interest in nurturing the startup ecosystem within Africa’s largest economy.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Idea Hatch (iHatch) Start-up Incubation Programme Cohort III, organized by the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja, Kazuyoshi emphasized Japan’s active role in empowering early-stage businesses in Nigeria. Since its inception in 2021, the iHatch program has significantly impacted startups focused on addressing societal challenges through innovative technology.
Kazuyoshi praised the ten standout ventures that showcased their innovations during the event, crediting their success to both their hard work and the support received from various initiatives, including Japan’s involvement through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He stated, “Japan’s involvement in this initiative underscores our commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria. Our experts have provided capacity building and training support, ensuring that these startups gain technical knowledge and imbibe Japanese business ethics.”
Highlighting Japan’s commitment to the startup ecosystem, the ambassador referenced the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8), where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between AAIC, a Japanese company, and a Nigerian startup focused on improving access to quality medicine in Nigeria. This partnership, leveraging Japan’s advanced technology, aims to combat counterfeit medicines and enhance access to high-quality healthcare across Africa.
Kazuyoshi also mentioned the Japanese Foreign Minister, Ms. Kamikawa Yoko’s visit to Ventures Park, a prominent Nigerian startup accelerator hub, where she engaged with Nigerian entrepreneurs. This visit further underscored Japan’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s startup ecosystem through strategic investments.
“The significance of Japan’s support for Nigerian start-ups extends beyond technical expertise,” Kazuyoshi added. “It is about fostering a partnership where knowledge exchange enriches both sides, leading to stronger collaboration and mutual prosperity.”
The event also saw remarks from the Director-General of NITDA, Inuwa Abdullahi, who highlighted the program’s success in creating jobs across Nigeria. According to Abdullahi, the expansion of Cohort III to five locations—Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe—was driven by the success of the previous cohorts, which created 179 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs.
Japan’s continued support for Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape is expected to further bolster the growth of startups, creating opportunities for collaboration and economic development in both nations.
