AIF Launches to Drive Innovation, Startup Growth Across Nigeria

 




The Africa Innovation Foundry (AIF), a multi-regional innovation and startup acceleration platform, has been launched in Abuja to unlock Africa’s innovation potential and build scalable, impact-driven ventures across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.




The platform is designed to bridge gaps between talent, capital and opportunities by providing founders with structured support through incubation labs, regional bootcamps, policy dialogues and investor pitch arenas.



It will focus on high impact sectors including health, education, agriculture, fintech, clean energy and frontier digital technology.



Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director of AIF, Mr Deji Garuba, said the initiative marked a new era of inclusive innovation development on the continent.




“AIF exists to democratise innovation. Whether you are in Katsina, Sokoto, Maiduguri or Abuja, you deserve access to the same opportunities that can turn your ideas into global solutions.




“We are building a system that develops talent where it is and empowers communities through innovation that truly matters,” Garuba said.




He explained that a key feature of the platform was its region-specific engagement strategy, designed to align programmes with the unique strengths and development needs of each geopolitical zone.




According to him, the approach positions AIF as one of the first platforms to adopt a localised, impact-first innovation model at a national 


The launch attracted stakeholders from government, development organisations, the private sector, venture capital firms, academia and the broader technology ecosystem.



The event featured a keynote address on innovation-driven economic transformation, the official unveiling of the AIF platform and a fireside chat on the future of Africa’s innovation economy, focusing on policy, capital and talent.




AIF is expected to roll out its full suite of programmes in the coming months, with regional activations planned across the North-Central, North-West, North-East, South-East, South-South and South-West zones.




The initiative will also leverage strategic partnerships with ecosystem leaders, donors, investors and government agencies to deepen its impact across the country.

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