The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) says is it is partnering Israeli Embassy in Abuja on Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Investors and Researchers (i-FAIR) 2021/22.
The Acting Executive Secretary/CEO, NIPC, Mr Emeka Offor disclosed this when he led a team of the commission’s staff to pay a courtesy visit to the embassy in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Mr Daniel Awurum, Head, Press and Protocol, NIPC, the event is scheduled for Dec. 7, at the Skill “G” Innovation Centre, Abuja.
NIPC said the partnership would was to explore viable options that could position the country as an investment destination of choice to investors.
According to Offor, Nigeria has the most start-ups in Africa and a dominant force in the tech space, but falls short on critical elements that help start-ups to thrive beyond their founding.
“These critical elements such as digital infrastructure and lack of investment requires investors’ engagements and start-up supports which the Government of Israel through the i-FAIR initiative is bridging.
“It is our hope that the spread gets wider and we will create awareness of the facility across our development partners,” Offor said.
i-FAIR initiative was created by a partnership between the Embassy of Israel’s Skill G Innovative Centre and the Nigerian Government.
The initiative targets 5 focus areas – Agriculture & Food Security, Food Technology, Renewable Energy/Environmental Management, Medical Devices/Simulation and Social Responsibility/Solutions for Personal responsibilities.
The first phase of the programme has been concluded while the second is currently ongoing.
Speaking earlier, the host, Mr Yotam Kreiman, the Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul of the State of Israel in Nigeria, expressed his appreciation for the support received from the Federal Government.
“The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been fantastic, so also the critical stakeholder, ministries, departments and agencies of government,” Kreiman said.
He said the i-FAIR was created to provide a platform for Nigerian innovators to unleash and channel their creativity into smart solutions, products and prototypes.
Kreiman added that the upcoming programme would feature 50 start-ups rigorously scrutinised and selected whom upon completion would be exposed to investors and mentors to help ensure their growth and sustainability.
“The project will cost $300,000,” he said.
According to Kreiman, the Skill “G” Innovation Centre Abuja is one of the best in the world and boasts of the latest tech savvy equipment manned by the best brains from Israel and Nigeria with proven records in the academia and science.
He emphasised that sponsorship of candidates in the centre is open to all developmental organisations and individuals who intend to use the facility.
“We are indeed very proud of this centre the only one affiliated to an Israeli Mission anywhere in the world,” he said.
