Through mentorship sessions, networking forums, and active engagement during the startup pitch competition, the company provided practical insights, exposure to developer-friendly platforms, and guidance on building scalable digital businesses.

The Kano Startup Weekend (KSW) 2025 is the flagship entrepreneurship and innovation event hosted by the Kano State Government through the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA).

Aligned with the Kano State Digital Transformation Agenda (2025–2030), the event aimed to ignite Kano’s startup ecosystem, foster collaboration, and position the state as a leading hub for technology and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.

The weekend featured pitch presentations from startups across technology, education, agriculture, mobility, and digital services, complemented by expert-led sessions on product development, funding readiness, customer acquisition, and scaling strategies.

These engagements equipped founders with tools to refine their ideas while connecting with partners capable of supporting their next stage of growth.

Giving his keynote speech, Patrick Okebu, chief information officer, Interswitch, emphasised the strategic importance of supporting regional innovation ecosystems.

He said:

“Kano Startup Weekend reflects the depth of entrepreneurial potential emerging from Northern Nigeria. At Interswitch, we recognise that innovation thrives when founders have access to the right platforms, mentorship, and enabling infrastructure. Our support for this event aligns with our commitment to empowering startups with payment and digital commerce solutions that help them build confidently, scale sustainably, and compete effectively in today’s economy.”

Beyond individual mentorship and the pitch sessions, KSW 2025 created opportunities for meaningful collaboration between the public sector, private organisations, investors, and the startup community, demonstrating how strong partnerships can accelerate innovation and drive inclusive economic growth.

The success of the inaugural Kano Startup Weekend highlighted the growing momentum within Kano State’s technology ecosystem and the increasing role of strategic partnerships in driving inclusive innovation.

Interswitch noted that initiatives such as KSW are critical to expanding economic opportunity, nurturing local talent, and strengthening Nigeria’s broader digital economy.

Through its sponsorship and active participation, Interswitch contributed meaningfully to the success of the Kano Startup Weekend.

The engagement reinforced the company’s position as a trusted partner to founders, developers, and innovation enablers across Nigeria and beyond while highlighting its commitment to supporting platforms that foster entrepreneurship, skills development, and regional collaboration.

Speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, Inuwa acknowledged Kano’s historic status as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahelian region, noting that its deep-rooted culture of trade, enterprise and human capital provides a strong platform for future prosperity.

He stressed, however, that while these strengths sustained Kano’s economy for centuries, today’s digital economy presents even greater opportunities that can be unlocked through technology-driven innovation.

The DG described innovation as the process of transforming ideas into impactful solutions through commercialization, stressing that when ideas are effectively deployed, they create value, solve societal challenges and generate sustainable economic growth. He noted that Kano’s large market, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture place it in a strong position to take advantage of innovation-driven opportunities.

According to him, “Innovation is the process of taking an idea from inception to impact. Invention on its own is a cost centre, but when you commercialise an idea, when you turn it into a product or service that solves a real problem and creates value, that is when you begin to drive economic growth and inclusion.”

He noted that the state hosts numerous degree-awarding institutions across federal, state and private ownership, providing a strong base for human capital development.

However, he expressed concern that these institutions often operate in isolation from industry, with research outputs rarely translating into commercial or industrial applications.

He explained that innovation does not happen in silos and stressed the need for a strong, interconnected ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, startups, entrepreneurs and government.

According to him, universities should conduct research informed by industry needs, industries should leverage research to improve productivity and competitiveness, and startups should serve as the bridge that converts ideas into market-ready solutions.

He further encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage technology to build businesses that can grow beyond local markets, explaining that innovation-driven enterprises have the power to scale rapidly, create jobs and position Kano competitively at both national and global levels.

According to him, digital platforms and emerging technologies now make it easier for startups to reach wider markets and develop solutions that were previously unimaginable.

“You can start your business here in Kano, but your thinking must be global from day one. Technology has removed barriers. With the right skills and platforms, a startup in Kano can build solutions that serve not just Nigeria, but the world,” he noted.

Highlighting NITDA’s ongoing interventions, the Director General outlined the Agency’s commitment to building national innovation capacity through targeted human capital development programmes.

He cited the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, which aims to equip Nigerians across all segments of society with essential digital skills, and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, designed to produce a pipeline of globally competitive technical professionals in areas such as software development, data analysis and emerging technologies.

He said,

“Through DL4ALL, we are ensuring that Nigerians at all levels have the basic digital skills needed to participate in the digital economy, while 3MTT is deliberately building a pipeline of globally competitive technical talents who can drive innovation, create jobs and attract investment.”

He explained that these programmes are key pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises skills development, innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth as pathways to national prosperity. According to him, empowering Nigerians with digital and technical skills is essential for building a resilient economy capable of competing in the global digital landscape.

“President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is about investing in people, empowering them with relevant skills and creating opportunities for inclusive growth. At NITDA, we are using digital skills and innovation as tools to translate that vision into real economic impact for Nigerians,” he said.

Inuwa urged all stakeholders in Kano to work together to build a functional innovation ecosystem that can unlock the state’s vast potential.

He expressed confidence that with the right mindset, strong collaboration and sustained investment in digital skills and innovation, Kano can reclaim its historic leadership role and emerge as a major innovation and entrepreneurship hub in Nigeria and beyond.

The event is scheduled to take place on December 13th and 14th, 2025, at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

Organized by the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA), the Kano Startup Weekend 2025 is a cornerstone initiative of the state’s ambitious Digital Transformation Agenda (2025-2030).

The event is designed to tackle key challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, including limited access to funding, mentorship, and modern business tools, by creating a dynamic platform for connection, learning, and investment.

With the theme Igniting Innovation, Empowering Entrepreneurs,” KSW 2025 will bring together over 1000 participants, including tech innovators, startup founders, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders for two days of intensive pitching, networking, and knowledge-sharing. The event will focus on developing solutions for Kano’s priority HEAT sectors: Health, Education, Agriculture, and Transportation.

Key highlights of the event will include:

• Pitch Competition: 20 pre-selected startups will compete for seed funding, investment opportunities, and prizes before a panel of seasoned investors.
• Expert-Led Sessions: Keynote addresses and panel discussions featuring government officials and industry experts on topics such as scaling businesses, securing funding, and emerging tech trends.
• Innovation Exhibition: A showcase of cutting-edge products and services from startups, sponsors, and government agencies like KASITDA and KanInvest.
• Networking Opportunities: Dedicated sessions for mentors, investors, and entrepreneurs to connect and forge lasting partnerships.

Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, PhD, the director-general of KASITDA emphasized the weekend’s significance, stating:

“The Kano Startup Weekend is more than an event; it is a critical launchpad for the next generation of Kanawa entrepreneurs. It directly reflects His Excellency’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy and positions Kano as the leading hub for innovation in Northern Nigeria. We are creating a pipeline for talent, investment, and sustainable economic growth.”

The Kano State Government invites startups, developers, investors, and corporate partners to join this transformative event.

Participation is essential for those looking to be at the forefront of Kano’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.

For more information, registration, and sponsorship opportunities, visit here. Follow the conversation online: #KanoStartupWeekend | #KSW2025 | #KASITDA.