NBTI-Supported Nigerian Entrepreneurs Win at World Startup Championship in Pakistan

The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has congratulated seven Nigerian entrepreneurs supported through its Technology Incubation Programme for their outstanding performance at the World Startup Championship – SEE Pakistan 2026.

Nigeria’s delegation comprised eight entrepreneurs, seven of whom were beneficiaries of NBTI’s Technology Incubation Programme.

The Nigerian team emerged winner of the Innovation Growth Category, while Fatima Zara Uthman, Founder and CEO of Nature Sleek and an entrepreneur from the NBTI Technology Incubation Centre in Niger State, emerged the overall winner of the Beauty and Skincare Category.

The championship attracted more than 4,000 startups from over 40 countries, providing entrepreneurs with an international platform to showcase their innovations to industry experts, academics, venture capitalists and other key stakeholders.

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, commended the Nigerian entrepreneurs for their performance, particularly in market acceptability, sustainability, validation and certification.

Raji described the achievement as evidence of the capacity of Nigerian innovators to compete successfully on the global stage.

According to him, the feat also validates NBTI’s interventions in technology incubation, enterprise development and capacity building aimed at transforming innovative ideas into viable, sustainable and scalable businesses.

He attributed the success to the dedication and innovative capacity of the entrepreneurs, as well as the efforts of NBTI’s Technology Incubation Centres in preparing Nigerian enterprises for opportunities beyond the country.

The NBTI boss congratulated Zara and the other supported entrepreneurs, saying their achievement further strengthens Nigeria’s position in the global innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

He also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding its incubation ecosystem and creating more opportunities for Nigerian innovators to access global markets, technical expertise, investment, mentorship and strategic partnerships.

Raji urged the winners to see the recognition as a platform to scale their businesses, create opportunities for others and contribute to Nigeria’s economic and technological development.