Nigerian women entrepreneurs are taking centre stage in global innovation, as three startups showcased their solutions to Japanese investors and partners at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced.
The women-led SMEs, all finalists from the IgniteHer Bootcamp for Women Entrepreneurs — a joint initiative between NITDA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) — pitched their ventures to international investors in a session dedicated to Africa's startup and SME ecosystem.
Among them was Nextwear Technologies, founded by Kemisola Bolarinwa, which demonstrated an AI-powered device for early breast abnormality detection to improve healthcare outcomes. Nibi's Tech, led by Anita Ngeri, presented its work in digital skills training for young Nigerians in coding, robotics, AI, and web design. Meanwhile, PrimeSafePath Solutions, co-founded by Odion Ikyo, unveiled MaternalRecord Pro, an AI-powered health data platform for primary healthcare centres designed to reduce maternal mortality.
Read also,
NITDA said the initiative is designed to break barriers limiting women in the tech and SME space, such as restricted access to funding, mentorship, and professional networks.
The programme aligns with JICA's Project NINJA, which seeks to grow startup and SME ecosystems across Africa, expand investment opportunities, and connect local entrepreneurs with global partners.
Industry watchers say the pitches not only spotlight the role of Nigerian women-led SMEs in digital innovation but also open doors for investment, partnerships, and scaling opportunities within Africa's growing tech sector.
