Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystems have unquestionably expanded quickly in recent years through tech communities. However, it is yet to be seen what would happen to the inventions and transformations that can be birthed if these are optimized in other cities.
Notwithstanding the emergence of tech clusters as well as entrepreneurial and innovation groups in cities like Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Bayelsa, they are yet to measure up to standard.
By promoting the effectiveness and efficiency of current ecosystems as well as the creation of new ones, a thorough grasp of the need for ecosystems will assure sustainability.
An innovation ecosystem’s actors engage with one another and work together to achieve a common goal. By assisting ecosystem actors with their knowledge searches, keeping an eye on their activities, navigating their many interests, avoiding conflicts of interest, and reducing coordination costs, tech communities support ecosystem actors.
Collaboration between various actors is necessary for the non-linear process of managing innovation ecosystems. These communities are the propagators of an open environment as well as a knowledge creation and commercialization environment. They are essential to the sustainability of innovation ecosystems.
Meet different tech communities providing support ranging from training to workspaces:
Ken Saro-wiwa Innovation Hub
The Ken saro-wiwa Innovation Hub is located in “Town” (an area in Port Harcourt), at Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt. The Ken Saro-wiwa Innovation Hub features connections with companies like Facebook and Andela in addition to its ongoing relationship with Google.
The hub is a Port Harcourt innovation center with a focus on technology that gives entrepreneurs and innovators in the Niger Delta access to resources. Its mission is to promote and aid in the growth of a Niger Delta-based sustainable IT ecosystem.
Atlassian Community Port Harcourt
The Atlassian Community Port Harcourt is a vibrant group of Atlassian tool users, engineers, and enthusiasts. The team is dedicated to cooperating and sharing knowledge and abilities to use Atlassian products as efficiently as possible.
The Port Harcourt Atlassian Community meets frequently to discuss best practices for utilizing Atlassian products. Community members for JIRA, Confluence, and Bitbucket contribute their insights and best practices to assist others in making the most of these tools.
HerTechTrail Academy
Hertechtrail is a community/organization headquartered in Nigeria that caters solely to women working in technology or planning to do so. Gloria Ojukwu, a Port Harcourt-based female technologist, established an entirely online learning platform for African women in technology, which significantly advances human capital.
It has an academy to give women and girls technical training. TechHerFest is a regular annual event that HerTechTrail hosts in Port Harcourt.
Borderless Community
Karla Obakpolor’s Borderless Hub is a developers’ hub started by Crypto Smart in partnership with Comsotech to train young Africans who can develop usable blockchain solutions. The hub aims to raise at least 100 African tech developers every year who can build Web3 products that benefit Africa.
The Borderless Tech Hub allows for training and mentorship and holds quarterly dev events to certify and showcase newly trained developers and attract new intending developers.
GDG Port Harcourt
In Port Harcourt, the Google Developers Group (GDG Port Harcourt) is a branch of the global Google Developers initiative that offers a forum for developers to connect, network, and gain knowledge of the most recent tools, technologies, and trends.
Events are planned by the community so that developers may hear from subject-matter experts and discover new Google tools. Regularly hosting DevFests, Women Techmakers gatherings, CodeLabs, and workshops, GDG Port Harcourt is renowned for bringing in industry leaders from all around Nigeria and the world to share their knowledge with the local community.
Port Harcourt Developers
Software developers from the Port Harcourt Developers community get together to exchange ideas, code, and experiences. Developers can work on their projects, cooperate, and learn from one another in the PH Devs Community Space, which is run by Port Harcourt Developers.
The community is primarily focused on developing software solutions, web apps, and mobile applications, and then deploying them to address regional issues.
They regularly host tech presentations, code jams, hackathons, DevC Fridays, and other events where developers from various backgrounds may demonstrate their abilities and network.
In conclusion, by facilitating the process of collaboration, assisting with the diffusion and application of innovation, and consequently promoting the sustainable growth of ecosystems, tech communities play significant roles in this context.
These communities are typical inhabitants of ecosystems that connect diverse actors of the tech ecosystem. They can operate both at the network or system level and focus on the bilateral relationship to support individual organizations. Luckily, Port Harcourt is fast becoming the nesting place for such communities.
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