Nigeria boasts one of the continent's largest startup ecosystems, with the entrepreneurial network continuously expanding and developing. The country benefits from a large population with access to the internet, a high GDP, and increasing players in the tech scene, resulting in a growing number of engaged foreign investors. Nigerian incubators' and accelerators' in-depth understanding of the ecosystem, along with international initiatives' assistance, has given rise to programs specialized for the Nigerian ecosystem.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of startup incubators and accelerators in Nigeria. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation' and 'launch' stages, so whichever stage you're in, you would be able to find a program that suits you!
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN NIGERIA
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Nigeria
The complete list of ideation phase startup incubators in Nigeria:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Future Hub Africa is a Chinese incubator/investment fund dedicated to incubating and investing in Africa's future. They provide knowledge, funding, network, and resources to assist entrepreneurs in verifying their ideas, launching their businesses, and expanding their startups. In return for 5% equity, they invest up to USD 300,000 in pre-seed to seed IT firms.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social & Environmental Impact
Orange Corners offers a 6-month incubation program to entrepreneurs that will enable them to turn their ideas into real businesses. They will provide the foundational knowledge, enterprise management training, market access, techniques, and resources to ensure the effective launch and sustainable growth of your social enterprise.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Since 2011, Wennovation Hub has helped over 450 startup teams in achieving success. As a venture development firm, they provide incubation and acceleration services, as well as investment opportunities to early-stage startups on a few impact sectors. They carefully design their curriculum based on years of knowledge from seasoned mentors and prepare startups and founders with the skills and expertise they need to establish their businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
enspire is an initiative by the Abuja Technology Village Free Zone Company that aims to foster and encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, company development, and technology commercialization with the goal of developing successful tech startups. They offer a three-month ideation program in which experts and coaches mentor and advise entrepreneurs on how to realize their business ideas. They also provide a four-month incubation program for early-stage startups that have established or are in the midst of constructing a minimum viable product (MVP) and require advice and mentorship in order to expand; culminating in a pitch session with angel investors.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Nigeria
The complete list of launch phase incubators and accelerators in Nigeria:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
With the objective of building and scaling 100 firms by 2025, Founders Factory Africa provide hands-on support for early-stage tech entrepreneurs fueling Africa's startup ecosystems. They have two startup programs: Build and Scale. The Build program, akin to an incubator, is designed to streamline the path from idea to launch. The program will assist in the creation of high-impact solutions and build into a scalable business, providing up to USD 200,000 in cash investments and approximately USD 400,000 worth of services and assistance. The Scale program, akin to an accelerator, is targeted at existing African startups looking to scale and achieve mass adoption and market dominance. They program is tailored to the startup's needs and etails access to experts, services, resources, and up to USD 100,000 in capital.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
CcHUB is an innovation center that is committed to supporting outstanding ideas with the potential to tackle societal problems in Nigeria and beyond. They offer a 12-month incubation program for developing startups that has demonstrated some traction and assist them in scaling to become global corporations. During the program, startups could obtain up to USD 25,000 in capital, as well as direct access to follow-on funding of up to USD 250,000 from Growth Capital and other resources. They also have a 6-month pre-incubation program for aspiring entrepreneurs who are developing and launching their initial prototypes. The program will assist in validating the concept and determining product-market fit, with the support of coaching from the management and product development team as well as USD 5,000 investment.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Startup Wise Guys oganize the SaaS Africa Startup Accelerator that will help you establish and expand your startup. Throughout the program, you will work in close collaboration with over 100 mentors to implement your ideas, focusing on four primary areas: company building, sales and marketing, fundraising and pitching, and product development. You'll meet top-tier industry professionals and learn the best industry knowledge and skills to accelerate your growth. Startups also have the opportunity to receive funding of up to EUR65,000 for up to 12% equity.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Founded in 2010, the Tony Elemelu Foundation (TEF) is an Africa private-sector charity organization that promotes entrepreneurship in Africa with the goal in empowering women and men across the continent. Their flagship program is the TEF Entrepreneurship program, a 10-year, $100 million commitment to discover, train, coach, and support 10,000 entrepreneurs capable of transforming businesses in Africa. The program involves 12-week company management training and mentoring that teaches entrepreneurs the technical and soft skills required to manage a successful business.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Google for Startups Africa is a 3-month virtual accelerator program targeted at Seed to Series A tech startups based in Africa with 2 programs: Africa and Women Founders accelerator. The Africa program focuses on growth-stage businesses that are solving challenges with sophisticated technologies such as AI/ML or data. The startups will be matched with Google's and industry professionals to assist in tackling challenges the startup may be facing, as well as advice on insights and best practices to improve their product and company. The Women Founders program will provide women-led startups with the best of Google's knowledge, products, people, and technology that is geared to the specific requirements of female entrepreneurs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
GreenHouse Lab is the flagship accelerator initiative operated by GreenHouse Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in FinTech companies across Africa. It is Nigeria's first female-focused tech accelerator, providing them with access to training, coaching, and financing opportunities from GreenHouse and their network of investors. Aside from GreenHouse Lab, they also operate other accelerator programs in collaboration with prominent corporations and tech firms. Led by founders themselves, the accelerator has over a decade of experience creating and growing firms in Africa, as well as extensive operator experience and understanding of B2B tech and market.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Led by Honeywell Group, Itanna is a startup accelerator that provides financing, mentorship, and access to Honeywell Group networks to assist startups in expanding their firm and disrupting their industries. The 4-month program is customized to each startup's needs and will prepare them for commercialization. Each participant will be given an initial investment of USD 30,000, as well as professional advice, product testing for market fit, and investment assistance.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Web 3.0, Cardano Ecosystem
Adaverse is a Cardano Ecosystem Accelerator that provides financing, coaching, and technical infrastructure to support blockchain startups in deploying their Web 3.0 solutions globally. The program is run virtually for three months, which involves strategic consultations with experts to craft executable propositions and lead early deployment. The program will also provide support in talent acquisition, technical and product development, as well as fundraising. Upon participation in the program, startups may receive up to USD 750,000 in immediate funding for 6% equity and 8% future token/NFT supply with advisory tokens.
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Accelerator or Incubator in Nigeria
Over the last few years, Nigeria's startup ecosystem has expanded at a breakneck pace. Though the Nigerian startup ecosystem still has room to grow, the increasing number of dedicated startup programs as well as collaborative efforts between startups and corporations is inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. It is now that the opportunity is ripe to join a startup accelerator or incubator in Nigeria for your startup to grow and make a mark in the continent.