AfriLabs and NASENI to establish innovation hub to assist 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 technology hubs, startups, 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 across 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 innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups, the NASENI Innovation Hub will offer vital infrastructure, resources, mentorship, and capacity building.
The hub will help young innovators turn their ideas into scalable and profitable businesses by providing acceleration support, which will boost economic productivity, job creation, and technological exports. Additionally, the hub will facilitate networking by creating an ecosystem that links innovators with important stakeholders in an attempt to generate opportunities for funding and knowledge exchange.
“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.
“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.
