Katsina State, Nigeria · Policy advocacy
Startup Act Advocacy & Domestication
Turning the Nigerian Startup Act into real opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs in Katsina State.
In 2025, ProudToBeMe led one of Nigeria’s most transformative youth policy initiatives: a 12-month campaign to domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act in Katsina State, uniting policymakers, educators, tech hubs, women-led groups and young people behind one shared goal.
1,200+
Youth engaged
1,200+
Youth & entrepreneurs engaged
Young people, students and entrepreneurs reached directly.
30+
Ecosystem partners
Ministries, NGOs, tech hubs and women-led groups.
15
Town halls & campaigns
Street campaigns and policy dialogues across four local government areas.
70%
Rise in youth engagement
Increase in youth engagement in governance and entrepreneurship.
About the programme
Showing how diaspora expertise and grassroots action can shape policy
The Nigerian Startup Act creates new support for young founders, but a law only changes lives when states adopt it and people know how to use it. Over 12 months, ProudToBeMe led the advocacy, coalition building and systemic work needed to domesticate the Act in Katsina State.
Our work redefined diaspora-led governance engagement, showing how grassroots mobilisation, policy knowledge and youth empowerment can combine to shape inclusive and sustainable policy.
- Drive the adoption and operationalisation of the Startup Act in Katsina
- Expand youth civic education and participation in governance
- Build coalitions between government, tech hubs, entrepreneurs and civil society
- Create a replicable model of diaspora-led policy engagement
Programme highlights
What we delivered in 12 months
From town halls to strategy documents, every activity was designed to move the Act from paper to practice.
01
Coalition Building
Engaged 30+ ecosystem partners, including government ministries, NGOs, tech hubs and women-led groups.
02
Town Halls & Campaigns
Organised 15 town halls, street campaigns and policy dialogues across four local government areas.
03
Startup Ecosystem Report
Mapped the opportunities, challenges and recommendations for local entrepreneurship in Katsina.
04
Monitoring & Evaluation
Produced a framework to track how the Act is implemented and the impact it has.
05
Implementation Strategy
Published a strategy document with clear, actionable steps for government and ecosystem stakeholders.
06
Training & Awareness
Ran sessions to help young people and entrepreneurs understand and use the new law.
Measured outcomes
What changed in Katsina
The campaign built momentum that will outlast the programme itself.
70%
More youth engagement
Increase in young people taking part in governance and entrepreneurship initiatives.
60%
Of participants were women
Promoting inclusion in policy advocacy and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
1
Replicable blueprint
A tested model for diaspora-driven policy advocacy that other states can follow.
Gallery
The campaign in Katsina
What’s next
Help us take this model to more states
Low awareness among rural youth, security limits and long distances still keep many young people out of reach. With the right partners, we can keep the coalition strong and bring the same results to other states.
Next steps
1
A Startup Desk Office
Dedicated support inside key government ministries to drive implementation.
2
Mobile awareness units
Taking the Act to rural and underserved communities.
3
Youth Innovation Hackathons
Helping young people put the new law into practice.
4
Replication in other states
Proving diaspora expertise can drive inclusive policy reform nationwide.
