Nigeria ACE ToT and Workshop Expert Dispatch (3rd Mission)

This is the plan for the third expert dispatch under the PMC (project management consulting) of the project supporting innovative growth of youth and SMEs through the establishment of the Nigeria Startup Digital Innovation Academy (ACE).

Ahead of full-scale implementation in the second half of 2026, including intensive ToT training, regular courses and a startup competition, the mission was carried out to validate the localization of the education curriculum and competition solutions and to assess the operating environment of the pop-up campus (temporary training venue).

Dispatched Experts

• Six experts from the Soongsil University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation consortium, MAINCONTENTS Co., Ltd. and Edunity Lab Co., Ltd. took part, serving as PM, PAO, operations guide and workshop lead, startup growth education (BM), competition (BM and IR), and AI technical specialist.

Key Activities

• Incorporated local feedback into the BM and AI education curriculum and competition solutions, and developed final versions
• Conducted in-person interviews and hiring for dedicated local operations staff
• Discussed building a partnership network with investors and startup support organizations in Abuja, including Venturespark, Ignite VC, AfriLab and Sabou Capital
• Consulted on policy and infrastructure with local government and related agencies, including SMEDAN, NITDA, NCC and USPF
• Conducted an on-site inspection of the temporary training venue (SMEDAN Garki Office) and assessed its physical and IT operating environment, including power and internet

1st ACE Workshop

• Shared the ACE vision, designed a governance structure based on the PSC and PIU, and discussed organizational roles and responsibilities (R&R) and process flow
• Designed the development framework and table of contents for the ACE Operations Guidelines, and formed a dedicated TFT (Task Force Team) to draft them
• The workshop served as the kick-off of a planned series of five ACE workshops; the results of this mission will be compiled in the 3rd dispatch final report and a comprehensive baseline survey report, among others.