As part of the Anambra State government’s ambitious agenda to transform the state into Nigeria’s digital and creative capital, the Solution Innovation District (SID) has unveiled plans during the Anambra Innovation Week. This initiative, spearheaded by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem for digital talents, startups, and innovative businesses across the state.
Ms. Chinwe Okoli, the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation and the leader of SID, shared insights into the governor’s vision to foster innovation and technological advancement through SID programs during a press briefing in Awka on Tuesday.
The theme for this year’s Innovation Week, “Creating the Future of Africa, Now,” reflects the goal of empowering youth and developing sustainable solutions for the continent’s future. Ms. Okoli announced that the Anambra State Government has allocated one hundred million naira to reward winners of the 2024 Anambra Innovation Week competition, dubbed “Battle4Solutions.” The event will be held at the International Convention Center in Awka from November 25th to 29th, 2024.
“Our mandate includes nurturing the ‘Anambra Digital Tribe,’ supporting the startup ecosystem, incubating promising ventures, fostering research commercialization, and helping businesses leverage technology to scale through programs like LevelUp Anambra and Code Anambra. Under my leadership, SID has trained over 25,000 youths in various deep technology skills, preparing them for global job markets,” said Ms. Okoli.
She highlighted the SID Teen Digital Bootcamp, which aims to cultivate a new generation of talented teens poised for future global impact. Additionally, the Anambra State Startup Law, a domestication of the Nigerian Startup Act, is in progress to create an environment that nurtures creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth. Governor Soludo has also prioritized infrastructure, with over 2,000 km of fiber optic cables being laid across the state for last-mile internet connectivity.
A 13.7-hectare plot of land, currently housing the Government House, has been designated as the permanent site for SID.
“The Innovation Week is set to become an annual event and a leading platform for showcasing Nigeria and Africa’s fast-growing and vibrant technology and innovation ecosystem, while underscoring our vision to make Anambra the Silicon Valley of Africa,” Ms. Okoli added. “Over the five-day event, we will bring together innovators, policymakers, top tech CEOs, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, digital experts, and academics from Africa and beyond. AIW prioritizes growth through bold ideas, talent, technology, and invention.”
Ms. Okoli also announced that innovators from Anambra and across Nigeria are eligible to apply and compete in the 100 million naira Battle4Solutions competition, with applications opening on October 29th, 2024, at www.innovationweek.anambrastate.gov.ng.
