When three Nigerian women stepped onto the global stage at TICAD 9 in Yokohama, Japan, they weren’t just pitching startups, they were rewriting the story of Africa’s digital future.
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development, themed “Co-Create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” drew leaders, investors, and changemakers from across the world.
But at one key session on Africa’s startup ecosystems, it was Nigerian women; bold, brilliant, and solution-driven who stole the spotlight.
Their presence wasn’t accidental. They were finalists of the IgniteHer Bootcamp, a program by Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The initiative was designed to break down barriers that too often keep women out of tech: scarce funding, limited mentorship, and a lack of visibility.
Innovation with Impact
One by one, the innovators proved that technology in Africa isn’t about buzzwords, it’s about solving urgent problems.
Health & Hope: Kemisola Bolarinwa, Founder of Nextwear Technologies, unveiled an AI-powered device for early detection of breast abnormalities. In a country where late diagnosis claims thousands of lives, her innovation offers women a fighting chance at survival.
Education for the Future: Anita Ngeri, Founder of Nibi’s Tech, is equipping young Nigerians with the skills that tomorrow’s economy demands—coding, robotics, AI, and web design. By targeting schools in underserved regions like the Niger Delta, she’s ensuring no child is left behind in the digital race.
Saving Mothers’ Lives: Odion Ikyo, Co-Founder of PrimeSafePath Solutions, presented MaternalRecord Pro, Nigeria’s first AI-driven automation system for primary healthcare. By replacing fragile paper records with real-time data, it aims to cut maternal deaths, a tragedy still claiming far too many Nigerian women.
Their pitches reflected more than entrepreneurial grit; they highlighted the economic necessity of empowering women in tech.
Studies show closing gender gaps could add trillions to global GDP. For Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy—, emale-led innovation is not just equity, but strategy.
Their participation also aligned with Project NINJA, JICA’s flagship program to strengthen African startup ecosystems and connect them with Japanese investors.
The Bigger Picture
As Nigeria deepens its digital transformation, these women remind us that innovation is not confined to Silicon Valley, it’s happening in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
Their message is simple but profound: when women lead, nations advance. And in Yokohama, the world was listening.
