Anambra State has officially adopted the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) as a pivotal step towards fostering technological advancement within the state. The decision was announced during the two-day Ecosystem Stakeholders Engagement and Validation Session held at the Solution Innovation District Centre in Awka in December. The event brought together key stakeholders, government officials, and industry players to deliberate on the adoption of the groundbreaking legislation and validate relevant issues for consideration in the state.
Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Deputy Governor, highlighted the significance of embracing technology, emphasizing that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a tech-driven leader. He stressed the urgency for the state to embrace technology, become champions of positive disruption, and take a leadership role in the global technology revolution. Ibezim underscored the governor’s human capital development agenda, aiming to position the state’s students and youths as Africa’s digital leaders, solving problems through technology. He encouraged the youth to think big, referring to them as the ‘gold of the state,’ and commended Chinwe Okoli for driving the innovation ecosystem in the state with passion and integrity.
Chinwe Okoli, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, expressed joy at the enthusiasm of the people of Anambra towards technological advancement. She affirmed the governor’s commitment to championing the ‘everything technology and technology everywhere’ agenda to transform Anambra into the Silicon Valley of Africa. Okoli highlighted that adopting the Nigeria Startup Act in the state would create a conducive environment for startups to thrive.
Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, emphasized that adopting the NSA in the state would protect investors and investments while ensuring the sustainability of businesses over time. The Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency stressed the need for the adoption to reflect the reality and comparative advantage of the state, particularly its strength in commerce and e-commerce.
Tracy Okoro, the state adoption lead of the NSA, outlined the four pillars of the act: funding, human development and capacity building, infrastructure (internet connectivity), and regulations. She emphasized that the NSA in Anambra State would reflect the state’s unique characteristics. The event was attended by various government officials, stakeholders in the tech and education sectors, and other key participants.
Leave a Reply