Pan-African hubs network AfriLabs and Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have joined forces 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 dedicated to driving innovation and entrepreneurship across the African continent. It brings together technology hubs, startups, investors, and other key stakeholders within the ecosystem. Currently, AfriLabs boasts a network of 496 hubs spread across 261 cities in 53 African nations. On the other hand, NASENI is a Nigerian government agency responsible for promoting and developing science, technology, and engineering infrastructure within the country.
The newly established NASENI Innovation Hub will provide essential infrastructure, capacity building, mentorship, and resources to Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups. This collaborative initiative is designed to nurture innovative ideas, drive industrialization, and enhance 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. This, in turn, will enhance job creation, boost technological exports, and increase economic productivity. Additionally, the hub aims to create opportunities for knowledge exchange and funding by facilitating networking and establishing an ecosystem that connects innovators with key stakeholders.
Nanko Madu, Director of Programmes at AfriLabs, emphasized the significance of the partnership with NASENI. “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,” he stated.
Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, highlighted the agency’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into a global leader in technology and industrialization. “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,” he said.
The NASENI Innovation Hub will run several programs to build and support the ecosystem. These include a global innovation return program for Nigerian researchers in top foreign universities, a program to empower women in engineering, a FutureMakers program to nurture young talent, an initiative for innovators developing solutions for public sector challenges, and an acceleration program. Through these initiatives, the hub aims to create a robust and dynamic environment that supports the growth and success of Nigerian innovators and startups.
