In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, three women entrepreneurs took centre stage at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), pitching groundbreaking innovations to international investors, development partners, and policymakers.
The conference, themed “Co-Create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” served as a strategic platform for leaders across sectors to identify opportunities for collaboration and inclusive growth.
The participation of Nigerian women innovators, backed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), underscored the growing influence of female-led startups in shaping Africa’s digital and economic future.
The innovators—Kemisola Bolarinwa (Nextwear Technologies), Anita Ngeri (Nibi’s Tech), and Odion Ikyo (PrimeSafePath Solutions)—were finalists from the IgniteHer Bootcamp for Women Entrepreneurs, a joint initiative of NITDA and JICA designed to bridge gender gaps in the tech industry.
Despite Africa’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem, women entrepreneurs often face systemic challenges such as limited access to venture capital, scarce mentorship opportunities, and exclusion from key business networks.
The bootcamp seeks to change this narrative by empowering women founders with skills, visibility, and investment opportunities.
The entrepreneurs’ pitches demonstrated how innovation can address pressing social and economic challenges:
Nextwear Technologies: Founder Kemisola Bolarinwa unveiled an AI-powered wearable device designed to detect early signs of breast abnormalities.
This life-saving innovation targets late diagnosis, a key factor behind rising breast cancer fatalities in Africa.
With the device, hospitals and individuals can leverage real-time alerts for timely medical intervention.
Nibi’s Tech: Anita Ngeri highlighted her edtech company’s digital learning programs, equipping youths—especially in the Niger Delta—with skills in coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, and web design.
Her vision is to close the digital divide and create a new generation of African tech leaders capable of competing globally.
PrimeSafePath Solutions: Co-founder Odion Ikyo showcased MaternalRecord Pro, Nigeria’s first AI-powered, multi-tenant data automation platform for primary healthcare centres.
By enabling real-time data capture, the solution helps reduce maternal mortality rates while improving healthcare efficiency and decision-making.
Their presentations resonated strongly with Japanese investors and global stakeholders, reflecting the appetite for scalable African-led innovations.
The event was also closely tied to Project NINJA (Next Innovation with Japan), JICA’s flagship initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s startup ecosystem, expanding funding channels, and fostering cross-border partnerships.
Analysts note that Nigeria’s increasing presence at TICAD signals a strategic pivot to global capital markets where innovation meets impact.
By showcasing women-led startups, the country positioned itself as a hub for inclusive entrepreneurship, opening doors to long-term investment and joint ventures.
According to NITDA, this collaboration highlights how gender inclusion in tech can accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
By spotlighting women entrepreneurs on a global stage, Nigeria not only showcased talent but also sent a powerful message about the country’s commitment to sustainable development through innovation.
Industry watchers also predict that initiatives like IgniteHer and Project NINJA will help Nigeria attract greater venture capital flows, as investors increasingly prioritize social impact ventures alongside financial returns.
Experts argue that the success of these women innovators should spark broader policy support for female entrepreneurship.
Investment in women-led ventures has been shown to yield higher social impact, strengthen community resilience, and foster inclusive economic growth.
As Africa’s startup ecosystem continues to expand, women innovators are no longer on the sidelines—they are becoming central to tech-driven transformation.
The participation of Bolarinwa, Ngeri, and Ikyo at TICAD9 marks a defining moment in positioning Nigeria as a global innovation hub.
The TICAD9 showcase has proven that Nigerian women entrepreneurs are not just participants in the global startup conversation—they are leaders, innovators, and solution-builders.
With stronger investor confidence, international partnerships, and homegrown initiatives like IgniteHer, the future looks increasingly promising for women-led businesses in Africa.
The world is watching, and Nigeria’s women innovators are ready to deliver.