Lagos / The Hague, 19.01.2026.
Accelerate Africa, one of Africa’s most influential accelerator firms created by Future Africa Innovation Fund, and HiiL (The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law), today announced a strategic partnership to launch a Justice Accelerator program dedicated to SMEs operating in Lagos’ Special Economic Zones. The first cohort will begin in March 2026, following a nationwide call for applications and a rigorous selection process designed to identify 5 of the most promising justice-tech startups in Nigeria.
This initiative is rooted in a shared belief that well-functioning justice systems are essential economic infrastructure. When entrepreneurs can register their business quickly, draft clear contracts, resolve disputes affordably, and navigate compliance with confidence, they are more likely to grow, create jobs, and contribute to the economic strength of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
The partnership brings together a powerful ecosystem: Accelerate Africa (powered by Future Africa) with its programming, funding & founder community; HiiL with its expertise in people-centred justice and innovation; Accelerate Africa with its proven venture-building frameworks; and Itana, Africa’s first Digital Economic Zone, which will host and anchor the program within the Lekki Free Zone corridor. The Lagos State Government and Lekki Free Zone authorities will play a vital role in defining the real justice challenges SMEs face and ensuring alignment with regulatory priorities.
Ronald Lenz, Director of Innovation at HiiL, emphasized the economic significance of this work:
“People-centred justice is not only a social good — it is an economic driver. Together with Accelerate Africa, we are building a new class of justice-tech ventures that will support SMEs to grow, comply, resolve disputes, and thrive in Nigeria’s SEZs. With the launch of this accelerator, we aim to demonstrate that justice innovation can be investment-ready, scalable, and transformative for local economies.”
Starting in 2026, the Justice Accelerator will provide a 12-month journey integrating legal design, business model development, regulatory strategy, coaching, market access, and live pilot opportunities inside Itana’s Digital Economic Zone. After a broad outreach campaign and co-designed hackathon with Lagos authorities, applicants will be narrowed from the top 50 to a final cohort of 5 startups, each offering practical solutions for registration, licensing, contract automation, dispute resolution, verification, and compliance. The strongest ventures will receive investment consideration from Future Africa and its network, with the goal of building scalable, high-growth scale-ups ready to expand across Nigeria’s rapidly growing network of Special Economic Zones.
Highlighting the transformative ambition of the partnership, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founder of Future Africa and Accelerate Africa, noted:
“Africa’s biggest challenges are also its biggest opportunities. Justice services for SMEs are one of the greatest unmet needs in our economic system. By backing founders building solutions for SEZs, we are building the infrastructure for Africa’s digital and economic future. This partnership with HiiL allows us to invest in startups that are solving the real problems holding back our entrepreneurs.”
The Justice Accelerator is intentionally designed as a scalable model. While the first cohort will focus on Lagos’ Digital Economic Zone, the partnership envisions expansion to additional SEZs across Nigeria, demonstrating how justice innovation can be embedded directly into high-growth economic districts where SMEs operate, transact, and hire.
With this new collaboration, HiiL and Accelerate Africa aim to establish Nigeria as a continental leader in justice innovation, proving that when justice works, the economy works.
