In a proactive move, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, expressed his country’s unwavering commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Japan’s government has shown a keen interest in bolstering the entrepreneurial landscape within Africa’s largest economy.
This commitment was reaffirmed by Kazuyoshi during a speech in Abuja at the conclusion of the Idea Hatch (iHatch) Start-up Incubation Programme Cohort III, organized by the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.
He highlighted the success of the program since its inception in 2021, emphasizing how it has empowered emerging businesses dedicated to solving societal issues through innovative technologies and concepts.
“Today, we are spotlighting 10 exceptional ventures that epitomize ingenuity, a testament to their dedication and the support they have garnered,” Kazuyoshi remarked.
Japan’s involvement in nurturing entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria through initiatives like JICA underscores their ongoing commitment.
“Our experts have been instrumental in providing training and capacity building support, equipping these startups with technical know-how and instilling Japanese business values such as punctuality, adherence to regulations, and a relentless pursuit of quality improvement,” he added.
The ambassador also highlighted a recent collaboration between a Japanese company and a Nigerian startup at the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8), emphasizing their shared goal of improving access to quality medication in Nigeria.
He underscored the importance of upholding fundamental principles alongside technological advancement for sustained success.
Japan’s interest in supporting Nigeria’s startup ecosystem was further evidenced by the visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko to Ventures Park, a renowned Nigerian startup accelerator hub.
During her visit, she engaged with startup entrepreneurs and emphasized the crucial role of Japanese venture capital firms in strengthening Nigeria’s startup ecosystem through strategic investments.
This support transcends technical expertise, aiming to foster a partnership that enriches both nations through knowledge exchange and collaboration.
“As these startups evolve, I anticipate a deeper collaboration between Nigerian and Japanese companies, leveraging each other’s strengths for shared prosperity,” Kazuyoshi concluded.
At the commencement of the event, Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA’s Director-General, highlighted the program’s success stories, particularly in job creation.
Reflecting on the impact of previous cohorts, Abdullahi disclosed, “Following the success of cohorts 1 and 2, we expanded to five locations for cohort 3 – Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe. The earlier cohorts trained a total of 32 startups with 16 participants, leading to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1000 indirect jobs.”