Anambra State Government, through the Solution Innovation District, announced on Tuesday the commencement of the Anambra Innovation Week, AIW, from the 25th to the 29th of next month.
The week, which prioritizes growth through bold ideas, technology, and innovation, will feature the Battle4Solutions challenge, which will see many innovators and tech experts provide solutions to myriad challenges across the various sectors of the state economy.
A prize pool of over one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) in cash prizes has also been earmarked to be won by winners under the challenge.
The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, disclosed this in a press conference at the Solution Innovation District (SID) in Awka on Tuesday.
According to her, the competition will see Anambra and Nigeria’s brightest innovators battle for prizes worth over N100,000,000, to provide solutions to challenges across various sectors, prioritizing growth through bold ideas, talent, technology, and invention.
“This competition invites Nigeria’s brightest startups to pitch solutions addressing critical societal challenges in various sectors such as digital health, renewable energy, e-commerce, agritech, fintech, environment, education etc.
“Government ministries, agencies, academic institutions, startups, and creators are all welcome to participate in their categories of competition, with full details available on our website.
“Innovators both in Anambra and across Nigeria are eligible to apply and compete in the Battle4Solutions,” she said.
Ms Okoli explained that Innovation Week signposts the state government’s commitment to exposing the young to the opportunities that abound with technology while creating solutions to societal issues.
According to her, Anambra 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. It will also underline the state government’s vision to make Anambra the Silicon Valley of Africa.
She said, “Over the five-day event, we will bring together innovators, policymakers, Top Tech CEOs, industry, entrepreneurs, investors, digital experts, and academics from Africa and beyond.
“AIW will feature exhibitions, showcases, competitions, games, keynotes, high-level panels, fireside chats, workshops, masterclasses, and a TradeNovation Fair for SMEs, all designed to advance technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the continent.”
Okoli said in line with Governor Soludo’s agenda to make Anambra Nigeria’s digital and creative capital, SID is dedicated to developing a thriving ecosystem for digital talent, startups, and innovative businesses across the state.
According to her, the agency’s mandate encompasses nurturing the Anambra Digital Tribe, supporting the startup ecosystem, incubating promising ventures, fostering research commercialization, and helping businesses leverage technology to scale.
She revealed that through programs like LevelUp Anambra and Code Anambra, they have trained over 25,000 youths on various deep technology skills, preparing them for jobs in the global market. Many others secure such jobs daily, while the SID Teen Digital Bootcamp cultivates a new generation of talented teens poised for future global impact.
She noted that to support this commitment, Governor Soludo has prioritized infrastructure, with over 2,000 km of fiber duct being laid across the state for last-mile internet connectivity.
“A 13.7-hectare plot of land, currently home to the Government House, has been designated as the permanent site for SID.
“The master plan redesign is complete, and construction on the first major structure has begun, setting the foundation for what will become a hub of innovation and technology -Anambra’s own “Silicon Valley.” Meanwhile, SID operates from a temporary center equipped with a digital skills lab, robotics lab, coworking spaces, training halls, high-speed internet, and a productive environment for startups and tech enthusiasts,” she posited.
