NASENI Partners AfriLab to Improve Market Value of 100 Local Products

The National Agency for Science and Infrastructure (NASENI) has partnered with AfriLab to enhance the market value of 100 local products already in circulation. The objective of this collaboration is to identify, train, and mentor 100 startups with successful products, refine and improve them, and increase their market visibility.

During the official launch of the NASENI/AfriLab Accelerated programme in Abuja, NASENI's Executive Vice Chairman Khalil Halilu announced that the partnership will ultimately identify and refine 100 improved products and solutions, creating 100 potential businesses and generating 400 jobs. Halilu emphasized that the program aims to transform promising startups into scalable businesses, with top performers presenting their solutions to seasoned investors, industry leaders, and policymakers.

AfriLab's Co-Executive Director, Nanko Madu, highlighted the organization's commitment to building a thriving innovation ecosystem across Africa by strengthening innovation hubs, connecting entrepreneurs to opportunities, and fostering collaborations that convert innovation into sustainable businesses, jobs, and economic growth.

AfriLab will provide innovators with structured support in four key areas: business development, product refinement, market access, and investment readiness. Head of the NASENI Innovation Hub, Busola Perez-Folayan, stated that the program targets innovators with proven demand and scalability, working with 100 innovators over four cohorts, refining 100 minimum viable products, and creating at least 400 direct and indirect jobs.

Each cohort will run for five months, including onboarding, capacity building, mentorship, milestone tracking, MVP refinement, and investment readiness. Winners of each cohort will receive investment support worth up to $25,000 per cohort, facilitated by the partnership between NASENI and AfriLab.