Itana, a pioneering digital free zone in Nigeria dedicated to advancing Africa’s digital economy, has unveiled a strategic collaboration with Accelerate Africa. This alliance is set to equip nascent enterprises with essential tools, expansive networks, and hands-on assistance to expand their operations and tackle pressing issues throughout the continent.
Situated as a gateway for global and pan-African tech and service companies, Itana facilitates smooth business operations across Africa. It provides a comprehensive platform for establishing a business presence in Nigeria, complete with attractive incentives in areas such as tax, immigration, banking, and regulatory frameworks.
In addition to these services, Itana boasts a Digital Residency community, a vetted marketplace for reliable vendors, and the forthcoming Itana District – a dedicated campus located in Lagos. On the other side of the partnership, Accelerate Africa is a pre-seed and seed stage accelerator program that conducts several cohorts annually, supporting up to 10 startups in each. The program offers assistance in storytelling, team building, market entry strategies, product development, and fundraising.
Through this partnership, Itana will amplify the impact of Accelerate Africa by providing the accelerator’s participating companies with direct assistance in registering their businesses within the Itana Zone. This registration process will grant these startups access to the distinctive advantages of Itana’s digital infrastructure, regulatory guidance, and community resources, thereby enhancing their competitive position in the marketplace.
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a principal financial supporter of Itana, will deliver vital funding for the initiative, ensuring that the entrepreneurs have the necessary capital to realize their expansion objectives. AFC’s participation further solidifies the potential of this collaboration to catalyze significant progress within Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Luqman Edu, the CEO of Itana, expressed the importance of the partnership with Accelerate Africa, noting that it represents a crucial step in Itana’s commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs. By granting startups direct access to Itana’s platform and resources, the collaboration aims to provide them with a competitive edge and enhance their ability to scale their operations effectively.
