Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, has reaffirmed his country’s dedication to advancing entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Idea Hatch (iHatch) Start-up Incubation Programme Cohort III in Abuja, Kazuyoshi highlighted Japan’s ongoing support for Nigeria’s start-up ecosystem.
Kazuyoshi emphasized Japan’s interest in nurturing Africa’s largest economy’s start-up sector and noted the program’s success since its launch in 2021. The initiative has empowered early-stage businesses that address societal challenges through innovation.
He praised the 10 standout ventures presenting their ideas, noting that Japan’s involvement through JICA exemplifies its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship.
The ambassador highlighted that Japanese experts have provided crucial training and capacity building, emphasizing Japanese business ethics.
Kazuyoshi also referenced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) between a Japanese company and a Nigerian start-up aimed at improving access to quality medicine in Africa.
He pointed out that Japanese Foreign Minister Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko’s visit to Ventures Park demonstrated Japan’s active role in strengthening Nigeria’s start-up ecosystem through investment and knowledge exchange.
NITDA Director-General Inuwa Abdullahi also underscored the program’s impact, noting that previous cohorts have created significant job opportunities, leading to the expansion of the current cohort to five locations.