Nigeria has launched the second phase of its bilateral programme with the Czech Republic, DELTA-2, aimed at commercialising research and development outcomes across key sectors of the economy. Unveiled in Abuja by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), the initiative targets entrepreneurs, researchers, and start-ups in areas such as agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energy. Unlike many previous schemes, DELTA-2 emphasizes practical, market-ready solutions to drive technology-driven growth in Nigeria.
The programme is supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) and reflects Nigeria’s strategic shift away from dependence on oil revenues toward knowledge-intensive industries. Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, highlighted that every funded project must deliver tangible, scalable, and commercially viable outcomes that address real national challenges. Selected projects under DELTA-2 receive financial backing, technical support, and market access opportunities, bridging the gap between research and commercialisation.
DELTA-2 builds on the success of the first round launched in 2022, which drew 285 submissions and funded 25 projects. Many of these projects are already creating jobs and generating local capacity in sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI’s executive vice-chairman, noted that 12 of the initial beneficiaries are scaling up, demonstrating the programme’s ability to translate laboratory innovation into market-ready solutions.
Beyond domestic development, DELTA-2 serves as a platform for international collaboration. By pairing Czech expertise in industrial technologies with Nigerian entrepreneurial talent, the initiative aims to integrate Nigerian firms into global supply chains and foster diplomatic and industrial ties. Officials argue that the programme enhances competitiveness, reduces import dependence, and strengthens industrial capacity while supporting Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritizes renewable energy, food security, and digital mobility.
Stakeholders also emphasized the potential for diaspora involvement. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, called for future iterations of the programme to include skilled Nigerians abroad, reinforcing the country’s innovation ecosystem. Analysts caution that sustained impact will require developing local venture capital, removing regulatory barriers, and ensuring projects reach commercial scale.
Officials contend that DELTA-2 represents a model for outcome-driven international collaboration, demonstrating that Nigerian innovation can address current and future challenges, from climate change to digital transformation. The programme underscores Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as an innovation-led economy with globally relevant solutions.
