ToT and GESI Expert Mission to the ACE Center, Nigeria (4th Mission)

This is the plan for the fourth expert mission to build a self-sustaining startup support ecosystem at the SMEDAN ACE Center in Abuja, Nigeria.

The mission runs for 21 days (20 nights), from July 21 to August 10, 2026, and is carried out by a consortium led by the Soongsil University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation under contract with KOICA.

The first round of ToT (Training of Trainers) is planned for 30 local trainee instructors: 15 in the BM track and 15 in the AI track.

The BM track covers hands-on startup training, including the Lean Canvas, financial planning, customer journey maps, and pitching, while the AI track offers practical service development, from wireframing through deployment.

A GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) expert will develop an operating strategy and performance indicators for an inclusive startup ecosystem, and deliver a practical GESI lecture for the local instructors.

To support the second-half startup growth program and the first BM competition, plans include integrated management of outreach channels, a landing page, and a recruitment campaign strategy.

The mission will also cover planning, recruitment, mentor matching, and the design of a judging framework (rubric) for the first BM competition.

A lecture by invited local experts (on Nigeria's startup ecosystem and policy) and partnership meetings with media outlets such as Arise News and Daily Trust are also scheduled.

The final day of the two-week ToT course is planned to feature a mock IR pitch day, a simulated incubation center operation exercise, and a graduation ceremony.

According to internal notes, CEO Kim Seong-deuk, who was scheduled to lead the startup growth program ToT, was unable to travel, so two MAINCONTENTS Co., Ltd. experts, Im Han-gyu and Kim Tae-hyeon, delivered the BM sessions in his place.