The future seems bright for the tech ecosystem in Anambra state as various stakeholders, tech savvy students, tech lovers and hub owners converged at the official opening of KODEX AFRICA on Tuesday.
The event which doubled as the official launch of KODEX AFRICA, was well attended by major stakeholders in government, a testament of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of making Anambra the creative hub of Nigeria, with everything and everywhere bearing the stamp of technology.
Cutting the ribbon to officially launch KODEX AFRICA, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, emphasized the need for people in the tech ecosystem to embrace collaboration, which he said is key for success in the tech space.
“Everything I have ever achieved in the tech space has been because of collaboration, brilliance helps, but collaboration and strategic partnership is key.
“You must also be disciplined. I have seen Lagos evolve and the fact that government policy can lead to transformations; just like the removal of Right Of Way, RoW, and approving a zero cost policy for broadband access by the then Lagos State Governor, Babajide Fashola, made it possible for Funke Okpeke to take high-speed broadband to Yaba and expanded connectivity.
“Likewise, if you look around various areas in Anambra, you will discover that fibre ducts laying are on-going and it is aimed at boosting internet connectivity across the state.
“The agency on its part, is committed to exploring interesting areas of collaboration with as many persons as possible,” he concluded
CFA also encouraged more hubs to sign up with the Innovation Support Network, ISN, so that they can collectively build a thriving tech ecosystem in Anambra State.
Speaking also at the event, the Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA, Mr. Mark Okoye stressed the need for identification of the challenges within the ecosystem and find ways to surmount them while optimizing the myriad of opportunities therein.
“I like that we are telling our stories right now, we must continue to collaboratively push out positive narratives about us with one voice so that soonest, all the negative stories will fizzle out.
“I tell you, we are at the beginning of something great, and we owe it to ourselves to create a thriving, more productive and sustainable ecosystem.
“We also need to evolve new funding models to further support start ups within the ecosystem, maybe by next year, we can launch a crowd funding platform for start ups in Anambra State,” he concluded.
On his part, the Director of Partnerships with the Innovation Support Network, ISN, and the founder of ROA hub, the first hub in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mr, Charles Emembolu expressed his excitement about the meet-up and the prospects it holds for the tech ecosystem in Anambra.
Emembolu also encouraged more hubs to join ISN in other to expand their networks and experience new and faster ways of achieving great feats within the state.
Also the Managing Director, Founders Institute Lagos, Mr. Ifedy Ralph Eze while welcoming everyone to the event, stressed that the gathering is pertinent and timely to eliminate all forms of working in silos and achieving less to working collaboratively for the common good of all in the ecosystem.
“We must eliminate unhealthy competition in all its forms, the reason the ecosystem is not thriving as it should; we must think differently and work differently to achieve better results, and chart a path way for success
“This gathering is about how to expand the ecosystem and KODEX on their part is committed to opening their doors to ensure that the ecosystem thrives”, he added.
In his remarks, the Managing director, KODEX AFRICA, Mr. Stanley Aroh stressed the need for everyone in the tech ecosystem to work together, leveraging the environment KODEX provides.
“Do not be afraid and do not forget your days of humble beginnings. Dream big and collaborate with like minds in the ecosystem he added.
Anambra first son, Mr. Uche Okoye on his part encouraged the tech enthusiasts to maximize the limitless power of the social media and the importance of story telling as a means to ensure appropriate visibility for all the valuable feats within the ecosystem.
He said; “Story-telling is a very powerful tool and people connect more with it so you must leverage it “where you cannot deploy it, collaborate with those who can so that your solutions can be well publicized.
“There is a strong need for us to sit together and talk about the problems of the ecosystem because in doing this we can create solutions for them.
“Finally, I encourage Anambra techies to establish their presence on Twitter.”
Highlights of the event was the panel discussions as well as the tour around the facility, KODEX AFRICA.
