How to Get into the Best Incubators and Accelerators for Nigerian Startups
The right accelerator offers funding, mentorship, structure, and a good network.
Building a startup in Nigeria takes guts. Infrastructure is shaky, funding is competitive, and most founders are bootstrapping from day one. But there’s one route that’s helped many Nigerian startups move faster, get noticed, and raise capital—and that’s getting into an incubator or accelerator.
If you’ve got a big idea and a bit of traction, these programs can change the game. They offer mentorship, funding, structure, and a network that can take you from scrappy MVP to something investors actually want to back. The catch, though, is you need to know which ones are worth your time, and how to get in.
Let’s break it down.
What is an incubator or accelerator?
Think of incubators and accelerators as crash courses for building real companies.
- Incubators are built for the early, messy stages, when you’ve got a concept but need help figuring out what it could become. They offer guidance, workspace, sometimes small grants, and time to explore.
- Accelerators, on the other hand, are like startup bootcamps. They’re shorter (usually 3–6 months), focused on growth, and often come with funding in exchange for equity. Most end with a demo day where you pitch to investors.
Both are designed to reduce your chances of failing alone and speed up the learning curve.
Why they matter for your startup journey
Nigeria has over 3,000 startups, according to Statista. That’s a lot of competition. And if you’re not plugged into the right circles, it’s easy to get lost in the noise.
Here’s why these programs matter:
- They help you focus. No more guessing what your next move should be.
- They open doors to investors, mentors, and even press access you’d struggle to get otherwise.
- They offer structure, especially if you’re a solo founder or small team with no prior startup experience.
- They give you a shot at credibility. Alumni status from a program like Techstars or CcHUB can put you on the radar instantly.
For a Nigerian founder with limited resources, the right program isn’t just helpful; it’s strategic.
Top incubators and accelerators for Nigerian startups
Here are seven solid programs (some local, some global) with a lower entry barrier for Nigerian startups.
/1. Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) Incubation Program
If you’ve heard of BudgIT, LifeBank, or WeCyclers, you’ve already seen what CcHUB can do. More than just a co-working space, CcHUB offers a 12-month incubation program with up to $25,000 in funding, office space, and direct access to mentors who’ve built real companies. It’s especially strong for startups solving social problems, like health, education, civic tech, and it’s earned its reputation as the nerve center of Yaba’s startup scene.
/2. ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator
This one’s for founders who are ready to scale. It’s a partnership between Techstars and ARM, designed specifically for fintech and proptech startups in Nigeria. You get $20,000 in funding upfront (plus potential follow-on), global mentorship, and access to the Techstars network, which includes over 3,000 startups worldwide. The program runs for 13 weeks in Lagos, but the reach is global.
/3. GreenHouse Capital Accelerator
If you’re in fintech or building a fintech-enabled platform, GreenHouse is one of the best bets in Nigeria. They’ve backed startups like Bankly and Wirepay and provide funding, advisory, and connections to corporate partners. Their programs aren’t just cookie-cutter cohorts as they’re tailored, investor-led, and built around long-term support.
/4. Orange Corners Nigeria
Funded by the Dutch government, Orange Corners offers a 6-month incubation program for Nigerian founders under 35. Think startup training, mentorship, business development, and access to up to €40,000 in funding. It’s designed to help young founders move from idea to execution and offers a rare bridge between local support and international exposure.
/5. MEST Africa (Lagos & Ghana)
MEST might be Ghana-based, but it has a presence in Lagos and actively supports Nigerian startups. Their year-long training program is followed by incubation and seed funding, and they focus on tech-driven, scalable ideas with pan-African potential. It’s intense, selective, and ideal for founders aiming to build beyond Nigeria.
/6. Wennovation Hub
With offices in Lagos, Ibadan, and Abuja, Wennovation is one of Nigeria’s longest-running hubs. They focus on startups in health, agriculture, and education, and their programs emphasize local relevance and sustainability over flashy growth.
They also offer mentorship, workspace, and network access, especially for founders outside the Lagos bubble.
/7. Google for Startups Accelerator Africa
Though remote, this program has supported several Nigerian startups, like ThriveAgric and CredPal. It’s free, equity-free, and comes with mentorship from Google engineers, access to product credits, and networking across Google’s ecosystem. If you’re building something scalable in healthtech, fintech, or education, it’s absolutely worth applying.
How to apply to incubators and accelerators in Nigeria (and stand out)
Most programs won’t say this, but here’s what they’re really looking for:
Clarity, traction, and a team that can execute.
To stand out:
- Show what problem you’re solving and why now.
- Prove that people want what you’re building (even 100 users is better than a vague idea).
- Be transparent about your numbers, your gaps, and how the program could help.
- Put some love into your pitch deck—first impressions matter.
- Bonus: build a personal brand. Programs Google you.
Also, don’t be discouraged if you don’t get in on your first try. Some of the best startups got in on round two.
Oluwajuwonlo Afolabi
Conclusion
Accelerators and incubators won’t magically make your startup succeed. But they can give you a shot at breaking out of your echo chamber, testing your idea fast, and finding people who believe in what you’re building.
If you’ve got something real and you’re willing to put in the work, these programs can take you a long way.
