In a groundbreaking move to fuel innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has partnered with AfriLabs to establish the NASENI Innovation Hub. This partnership represents a remarkable step towards bridging the support gap for young innovators and startups across Nigeria, empowering them to commercialize groundbreaking technologies and foster sustainable economic growth.
The NASENI Innovation Hub will provide critical infrastructure, capacity building, mentorship, and resources to Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups. This collaborative initiative is designed to nurture innovative ideas, drive industrialization, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global tech ecosystem. By offering acceleration support, the hub will enable young innovators to transform their ideas into viable and scalable businesses, enhancing job creation, technological exports, and economic productivity. Additionally, in an effort to create opportunities for knowledge exchange and funding, the hub will facilitate networking by establishing an ecosystem that connects innovators with key stakeholders.
Through this strategic partnership, NASENI aims to enhance collaboration between various sectors and accelerate the development of market-ready products, contributing to Nigeria’s industrialization goals. This initiative aligns with NASENI’s vision of promoting scientific and technological infrastructure and addresses the nation’s growing demand for innovation-driven solutions.
This collaboration reinforces AfriLabs’ commitment to fostering innovation, building resilient ecosystems and enhancing access to opportunities for African entrepreneurs, as well as supporting and scaling innovation-driven enterprises across the continent.
Nanko Madu, Director of Programmes at AfriLabs, commented on the partnership, saying, “At AfriLabs, we are deeply committed to driving innovation and empowering Africa’s next generation of tech leaders. 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.”
“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. 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.”- Khalil Suleiman Halilu, EVC of NASENI.
Through this hub, NASENI and AfriLabs are laying the foundation for a robust, self-sustaining innovation ecosystem that will drive Nigeria’s industrialization and economic transformation for years to come through some innovative programmes targeted at different types of people or demographic to stimulate the nation’s economy. The hub will be running several programmes to build and support the ecosystem.