In a groundbreaking collaboration, The Nest Innovation Park, Nigeria, has partnered with Germany’s UnternehmerTUM to provide training, mentorship, and global market access for Nigerian founders and startups.
This partnership will focus on equipping Nigeria’s youthful population and burgeoning small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the global economy.
Driving Innovation Through Africa Meets Bavaria
The initiative is part of the Africa Meets Bavaria programme—a two-year project backed by the Bavarian State Chancellery. This initiative is designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurial collaboration, and cross-border market expansion between Bavaria and Africa.
Speaking on the partnership, Oluwajoba Oloba, Co-founder of The Nest Innovation Park, stated:
“This project empowers young African tech talents to develop local innovations while enabling Bavarian companies to tap into emerging African markets.”
Beyond business growth, the programme will tackle major global challenges such as:
Sustainability
Mobility transformation
Climate change
By working on solutions tailored to their local contexts, Nigerian entrepreneurs will contribute to sustainable development and economic advancement.
A Game-Changer for African Startups
The initiative is a collaboration between UnternehmerTUM—recently recognized by the Financial Times as Europe’s leading startup hub (2024-2025)—and a network of top African innovation centers, including:
The Nest Innovation Technology Park (Nigeria)
MEST Africa (Ghana)
Impact Hub Kigali (Rwanda)
iHub Nairobi (Kenya)
Together, these hubs and UnternehmerTUM aim to nurture the next generation of African entrepreneurs, create investment opportunities, and accelerate the launch of groundbreaking businesses.
“Nigeria is full of brilliant entrepreneurs. What’s often missing is access—the right structures, networks, and resources. This partnership breaks those barriers and ensures Nigerian founders are positioned to succeed globally,” Oloba added.
The initiative will also enable collaboration between university labs in Nigeria and UnternehmerTUM, creating a cross-pollination of ideas, skills, and resources.
Aligning with Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Agenda
This collaboration aligns with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Innovation’s goals and is a key element of the Nigeria Startup Act.
“This partnership is about more than just business—it’s about driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for entrepreneurial excellence,” Oloba emphasized.
With this strategic partnership, Nigerian entrepreneurs now have an unprecedented opportunity to scale their businesses, connect with global markets, and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.
