AfriLabs and NASENI collaborate to build an innovation hub for Nigerian tech entrepreneurs.
Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Pan-African hubs network AfriLabs have teamed up to establish an innovation lab that will assist startups and young innovators throughout Nigeria in commercializing ground-breaking technologies and promoting sustainable economic growth.
By connecting technological hubs, companies, investors, and other important ecosystem players, AfriLabs is a network organization dedicated to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent. Its network consists of 496 hubs spread over 261 cities in 53 African countries. In contrast, NASENI is a government organization in Nigeria that is responsible for advancing and building the nation’s infrastructure in the fields of science, technology, and engineering.
For Nigerian inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups, the NASENI Innovation Hub will offer vital infrastructure, resources, mentorship, and capacity building. The goals of this cooperative project are to foster creative thinking, promote industrialization, and bolster Nigeria’s position as a leader in the global IT sector.
The hub’s acceleration support will help young innovators turn their ideas into scalable and profitable firms, increasing economic productivity, job creation, and technical exports. Additionally, by creating an ecosystem that links innovators with important stakeholders, the hub will enable networking in an attempt to provide chances for funding and knowledge sharing.
“Our collaboration with NASENI is an important step in fostering Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. By working together, we are not only establishing an Innovation Hub but also a pipeline for ground-breaking concepts that can influence Nigeria’s future economic growth and sectors. We think this partnership will be crucial to scaling creative solutions that tackle regional issues and have an international influence,” stated Nanko Madu, AfriLabs’ director of programs.
“At NASENI, we are committed to transforming Nigeria into a global leader in technology and industrialisation. The establishment of this innovation hub marks a pivotal step in fostering homegrown solutions, nurturing local talent, and creating a dynamic ecosystem that will drive sustainable development through science and engineering. We believe that by empowering innovators and providing the infrastructure they need, we can fast-track industrial growth and economic diversification for Nigeria’s future,” said Khalil Suleiman Halilu, EVC of NASENI.
A global innovation return program for Nigerian researchers at prestigious international universities, a program to empower women in engineering, a FutureMakers program to develop young talent, an initiative for innovators creating solutions for public sector challenges, and an acceleration program are just a few of the programs the hub will be implementing to strengthen and support the ecosystem.
