AfriLabs, a Pan-African network of innovation hubs, and Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have partnered to launch an innovation lab aimed at helping young innovators and startups across Nigeria commercialize groundbreaking technologies and foster sustainable economic growth.
AfriLabs is a network organization committed to driving innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent by bringing together technology hubs, startups, investors, and other key stakeholders. Its expansive network includes 496 hubs across 261 cities in 53 African nations. NASENI, on the other hand, is a Nigerian government agency dedicated to promoting and developing science, technology, and engineering infrastructure within the country.
The NASENI Innovation Hub will offer critical infrastructure, capacity building, mentorship, and resources to Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups. This collaborative initiative is therefore designed to nurture innovative ideas, drive industrialization, and enhance Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global tech ecosystem.
Furthermore, by providing acceleration support, the hub will empower young innovators to transform their ideas into scalable and sustainable businesses. This effort is expected to boost job creation, technological exports, and economic productivity. Additionally, the hub aims to foster knowledge exchange and funding opportunities by creating a dynamic ecosystem that connects innovators with key stakeholders.
“Our partnership with NASENI represents a significant step toward nurturing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. Together, we are not just creating an Innovation Hub – we are building a pipeline for groundbreaking ideas that will shape Nigeria’s future industries and foster economic growth. We believe this collaboration will play a key role in scaling innovative solutions that address local challenges and have a global impact,” said Nanko Madu, Director of Programmes at AfriLabs.
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“At NASENI, we are committed to transforming Nigeria into a global leader in technology and industrialization. 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. 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.
The hub will run various programmes to significantly strengthen the ecosystem, including:
- A Global Innovation Return Programme for Nigerian researchers in top foreign universities.
- An initiative to empower women in engineering.
- The FutureMakers Programme aimed at nurturing young talent.
- A programme for innovators developing solutions to public sector challenges.
- An acceleration programme to support startups in scaling their innovations.
In conclusion, this partnership is poised to create a robust foundation for innovation, positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global tech and industrialization space.