Today, that legacy is being redefined in the digital age, as a new generation of public-sector technology leaders quietly but deliberately lay the foundations for e-Governance, digital innovation, and future-ready skills across the region.

From Abia to Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu to Imo, state governments are increasingly positioning technology not as an abstract ambition but as a development tool, to improve service delivery, attract investment, and prepare citizens for participation in the digital economy.

At the centre of this transformation, featured in this series by Techeconomy, are policymakers and technocrats whose work is reshaping how government works and how citizens interact with the state.

Featuring:

1. David Kalu
2. Gerald Ilukwe
3. Chinenye Mbah-Uzoukwu
4. Elizabeth Chijioke
5. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA)
6. Chinwe Okoli
7. Uzoh Tochukwu Okorie
8. Prince Dr. Lawrence Ezeh
9. Nnaemeka Ani
10. Dr. Obi Ozor
11. Arinze Chilo-Offiah
12. Dr. Chimezie Amadi

Abia State

1. David Kalu: Strengthening ICT Infrastructure in Abia

Abia State is carving a deliberate path anchored on human capital development, digital infrastructure, and innovation-friendly policy. At the centre of this effort is David Kalu, the Abia State commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, whose portfolio includes ICT.

Since assuming office, Kalu has focused on building the foundations required for a sustainable digital economy, recognising that technology-driven growth is not achieved through platforms alone, but through people, infrastructure, and enabling policies.

Investing in Human Capital from the Ground Up

A key pillar of Kalu’s strategy has been human capital development, with particular attention to early exposure and practical skills acquisition.

The Abia State Government, under his supervision, has promoted technology education at the secondary school level, leveraging online STEM subject platforms to strengthen learning outcomes and digital literacy among young students.

Beyond foundational education, the ministry has partnered with the Abia State Technology Innovation Network (AITN) to deliver market-relevant tech skills to an estimated 3,000 beneficiaries.

These programmes focus on preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s growing digital economy. In a move that underscores government’s commitment to translating skills into opportunity, the state has absorbed 50 graduates of the “TechRise” digital skills programme into the Abia State Civil Service, a rare example of direct talent pipeline integration between training initiatives and public-sector employment.

Laying the Digital Infrastructure Backbone

Recognising that skills cannot thrive without connectivity, Kalu has prioritised digital infrastructure development as a strategic enabler.

The state has committed to the deployment of fibre optic cables, aimed at delivering reliable, high-speed internet access across key areas.

This infrastructure push is designed to support e-Governance, private-sector innovation, and digital service delivery, while also addressing long-standing challenges around inconsistent connectivity and power availability. Sustainable infrastructure, officials say, is essential for attracting investors and supporting tech-enabled enterprises.

Policy Support for Innovation and Enterprise

On the policy front, David Kalu has played a key role in supporting the implementation of the Abia Startup Law, an important legal framework designed to foster innovation, protect startups, and stimulate entrepreneurship.

The policy has particular significance for Aba, Abia State’s commercial nerve centre, known globally for its leather and textile industries. By aligning innovation policy with existing industrial strengths, the state aims to integrate technology into traditional manufacturing, boosting productivity, improving market access, and enabling value-chain digitisation.

Engaging the Local Tech Ecosystem

Rather than adopting a top-down approach, Kalu has actively engaged with the state’s emerging tech ecosystem. This includes visits to innovation hubs such as RAD5 Tech Hub, where the commissioner has interacted with founders, developers, and ecosystem builders to better understand grassroots challenges and opportunities.

These engagements are helping the government build talent pipelines that connect universities, training centres, and industry, an approach increasingly recognised as critical to retain local talent and reduce skills mismatch.

Taking Abia’s Tech Story to the Global Stage

Beyond the state, Kalu has championed Abia’s digital and industrial potential on regional and global platforms, including Omniverse 2.0. These engagements aim to attract foreign direct investment, forge Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and position Abia as a credible destination for technology-enabled manufacturing and innovation.

In particular, the state has highlighted its massive shoe production capacity, reinforcing the case for technology-driven industrial clusters that can scale production and reach global markets.

Dave also fully participated at #StartupSouthX both in Owerri & Port Harcourt bringing with him Civil Servants, including the Permanent Secretary in his ministry, in an intentional bid to deepen engagement and knowledge.

Positioning Abia for Technology-Led Growth

Collectively, these initiatives reflect a coherent strategy to position Abia State as a technology-forward subnational economy, where skills, infrastructure, and policy work together to drive socio-economic growth.

While challenges remain, the focus on practical skills, sustainable infrastructure, ecosystem collaboration, and global engagement suggests a long-term vision, one that sees technology not as an end in itself, but as a tool for inclusive development and competitiveness.

As Nigeria deepens its digital economy agenda, Abia’s evolving model offers insights into how state governments can leverage technology to unlock economic opportunity and build resilient futures.

2. Gerald Ilukwe: Building the Digital Backbone of Abia State

Working behind the scenes but central to Abia State’s digital ambitions is Gerald Ilukwe, chief information officer (CIO) of Abia State. His role sits at the intersection of technology architecture, systems integration, and digital governance execution.

As CIO, Ilukwe is responsible for ensuring that Abia’s digital initiatives are not just policy ideas, but secure, scalable, and interoperable systems.

This includes overseeing government IT infrastructure, data management frameworks, cybersecurity readiness, and the integration of digital platforms across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

In many developing economies, weak IT governance has been identified as a major cause of failed e-Government projects.

According to global public-sector digitalisation studies, up to 60% of government IT projects underperform or fail due to poor coordination, legacy systems, or lack of technical oversight. The CIO function is therefore critical to success.

Under Ilukwe’s stewardship, Abia has taken steps toward:

•   Standardising government digital systems
•   Improving data-driven decision-making
•   Enhancing service delivery reliability and uptime
•   Strengthening internal ICT governance structures

His work complements the policy and infrastructure efforts led by the political leadership, ensuring that

digital transformation in Abia is technically sound, secure, and future-ready.

Duct Infrastructure Development Project

In October 2025, Governor Otti flagged off the duct infrastructure development project, marking a major step toward transforming the state into a digital and technology-driven economy.

Ilukwe is credited for spearheading the handshake among the State Government, West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) and IPNX.

The project will establish an interconnected underground duct system across major cities, beginning with Aba and Umuahia.

On completion, the project is expected to attract major global tech investors, create jobs, and expand business opportunities for young entrepreneurs and local industries, especially in Aba’s growing tech and creative sectors.

By anchoring digital reform in strong IT governance, Ilukwe’s contribution reinforces an important lesson for subnational governments: sustainable e-Governance is built as much on systems and standards as it is on vision and leadership.

3. Chinenye Mbah-Uzoukwu: Helps in shaping Abia State’s policy direction

In his role in Abia State government as Principal Secretary to the Governor & Chief Strategy Officer, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu has influenced several policy-relevant themes.

Even if he isn’t a directly elected policy maker, his positioning close to the Governor (Dr) Alex Otti and his public commentary indicate an active guiding influence:

Strategic Framing of Governance and Policy Direction

Mba-Uzoukwu regularly uses his LinkedIn platform to frame and articulate the administration’s philosophy on governance and development.

In recent posts, he emphasizes Abia State’s transition from foundational governance reforms to a bold digital and innovation-led future, describing how early gains in basic services and stability set the stage for a digital transformation agenda that will underpin future economic growth.

This kind of narrative shaping helps set public expectations and aligns

stakeholders (citizens, investors, tech communities) with the administration’s policy direction toward technology, innovation ecosystems, and strategic planning.

Championing Data-Driven Policy Implementation

In a recent post on agriculture, Mba-Uzoukwu highlighted the Abia Agriculture Dynamic Data System (ADDS), a data-centric initiative that seeks to map farmers and their activities to improve targeting of inputs and extension services.

This signals a move toward evidence-based policymaking, leveraging data systems to reduce leakages, allocate resources more effectively, and build transparent accountability into government programs.

Positioning such systems publicly can influence the adoption of similar data-driven frameworks in other sectors.

Public Endorsement of Innovation and Tech Ecosystem Development

He has actively promoted Abia’s growing tech and innovation initiatives, including messaging around tech summits, innovation weeks, and branding Abia as poised to become a player in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

This advocacy supports policy emphasis on startups and technology, signaling to private sector and civil society that Abia’s government prioritizes digital economy strategies as part of its development blueprint.

Messaging on Mobility and Economic Modernization

Commentary referencing Abia’s mobility and economic modernization efforts, such as supporting clean energy transport or leveraging infrastructure improvements, shows his role in amplifying and reinforcing public policy goals.

While these posts aren’t policy texts themselves, they shape perception and political support for state strategies.

Leadership and Narrative on Governance Culture

Mba-Uzoukwu’s posts often connect policy actions to leadership values, governance transparency, disciplined execution, and citizen-centred development.  This has an indirect policy influence by reinforcing norms around accountability, long-term planning, and coherent implementation language that bureaucrats, partners, and citizens can reference in dialogue about state programs.

As Principal Secretary & Chief Strategy Officer to Governor Alex Otti, Mba-Uzoukwu is formally part of the strategic leadership apparatus of the Abia State Executive.

He manages and helps operationalize the secretariat of the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council (AGEAC), a key body aimed at shaping statewide economic and investment policy.

4. Elizabeth Chijioke: Advancing Policy Coordination in Abia

In Abia State, Elizabeth Chijioke, Special Adviser to the Government on ICT, plays a critical role in aligning technology initiatives with broader governance objectives.

Her work focuses on policy coordination, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring ICT is embedded across ministries rather than siloed.

This approach is vital. Studies show that fragmented digital reforms often fail, while integrated ICT policies can improve public service efficiency by over 40% in developing economies. Chijioke’s role underscores the importance of governance architecture in digital transformation, not just tools, but systems that work together.

Anambra State:

5. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA): Institutionalising Digital Governance in Anambra

In the quest to transform Anambra into a “Silicon Valley” of the East, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA) has emerged as the pivotal force driving the state’s digital agenda.

As the Managing Director and CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Agbata has taken Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of “Technology Everywhere” and turned it into a tangible, award-winning reality. His performance ranks even higher compared to commissioners for ICT in many States.

For instance, towards the end of 2025 the State asserted itself as a national leader in digital innovation and governance by sweeping four major awards at the 13th meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) held at the Crispan Suite & Event Centre (Gowon Hall), Opposite Air Force Base, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State, from December 8–12, 2025. The ovations were high.

Anambra has deployed multiple e-Governance platforms, including digital payment systems, data-driven revenue administration, and ICT-enabled public service workflows.

The latest achievement was the launch of ‘Anambra AI’, a.k.a ‘SmartGov’; an AI-powered platform that enables citizens to interact with government through natural conversations rather than complex procedures or paperwork. These reforms align with global best practices, where digitisation has been shown to reduce leakages and increase internally generated revenue (IGR) by up to 20–30%, according to World Bank estimates.

Beyond infrastructure, CFA has championed capacity building, working with private-sector partners and development organisations to equip civil servants and young people with digital skills relevant to the modern economy.

His approach reflects a growing consensus: that technology adoption must be matched with human capital development to be sustainable.

Breaking Barriers to Connectivity

Central to Agbata’s strategy is the belief that digital progress is impossible without robust connectivity.

To solve this, he has spearheaded critical policy shifts and infrastructure projects: Zero Right-of-Way (RoW) Charges: By waiving Right-of-Way fees, Anambra has become a magnet for telecommunications investment, drastically lowering the cost of broadband expansion across the state. Public Wi-Fi Hotspots:

Under his guidance, free Wi-Fi zones have been established in key public spaces, ensuring that high-speed internet is a utility, not a luxury.

Mobile Tech Hubs: In a creative move to decentralize innovation, CFA introduced mobile tech hubs.  These “offices on wheels” bring internet access and digital skills training directly to underserved communities, ensuring no citizen is left behind in the digital shift.

Modernizing Governance through e-Solutions

Beyond hardware, Agbata has focused on the “brain” of the state’s operations, e-governance.

By integrating technology into the daily functions of government, AnICTA has replaced manual bottlenecks with data-driven efficiency.

This digital transformation has not only improved public service delivery for citizens but has also created a more transparent environment that is highly attractive to private investors.

A Record of Excellence

The impact of these initiatives has been validated by a string of national accolades. Under CFA’s leadership, Anambra State has received numerous awards for Digital Excellence, specifically highlighting:

• Innovation in Infrastructure: For rapid broadband deployment.
• Human Resource
• Training: For upskilling civil servants and youth.
• Online Government Services: For creating a seamless digital interface for public interactions.

Read More here. 

6. Chinwe Okoli: Innovation and Business Incubation as Development Tools…a look at Solution Innovation District

As Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms. Chinwe Okoli has emerged as a central figure in translating policy intent into a working innovation ecosystem through the Solution Innovation District (SID), one of the most ambitious sub-national innovation initiatives in Nigeria’s South East.

Conceived as a physical and policy-backed innovation zone, the Solution Innovation District goes beyond the traditional idea of a tech hub.

Under Okoli’s leadership, it has been positioned as a multi-sector platform where startups, researchers, creatives, MSMEs, investors, and government institutions intersect to co-create solutions for real economic and governance challenges.

One of Okoli’s most notable achievements has been moving the Solution Innovation District from conceptual planning to early-stage execution, a hurdle where many public innovation projects stall.

Through SID-linked programmes, Chinwe Okoli has helped create pathways for early-stage startups and MSMEs to access:

• Workspace and incubation support
• Mentorship from industry professionals
• Exposure to investors and enterprise partners

Globally, startups operating within structured incubation environments have a 50–60% higher survival rate after five years compared to those outside such ecosystems. SID’s incubation model reflects this evidence-driven approach.

Recognising that innovation districts thrive on talent, Okoli has prioritised skills development, particularly for young people and first-time entrepreneurs.

Another defining achievement of Okoli’s leadership is the deliberate alignment between innovation policy and private-sector participation.

While still evolving, SID has already positioned the state as a credible destination for innovation-led investment and entrepreneurship.

Its long-term impact, measured in startups created, jobs generated, and solutions scaled, could redefine how state governments support innovation across Nigeria.

Ebonyi State

7. Uzoh Tochukwu Okorie: Digital Inclusion in Ebonyi

As Commissioner for ICT in Ebonyi State, Uzoh Tochukwu Okorie is helping to bridge the digital divide by focusing on access, inclusion, and grassroots adoption.

His work aligns closely with the vision of Governor Francis Nwifuru to bridge the digital divide and empower the state’s youthful population. Since assuming office, Okorie has prioritised youth empowerment, digital literacy, and ecosystem partnerships, recognising that technology is central to economic participation and long-term development.

Empowering Youth Through Digital Skills

A cornerstone of Okorie’s tenure has been the large-scale deployment of digital skills training programmes designed to prepare young people for the emerging digital economy.

Notably, the commissioner coordinated an ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in partnership with UNESCO.

The programme exposed participants to responsible AI development and usage, reflecting global bestpractices and ensuring Ebonyi’s youth are equipped with future-ready skills.

These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to create pathways into technology careers and entrepreneurship.

Expanding Access to Education

Beyond skills training, Okorie has demonstrated a strong commitment to education accessibility, particularly for students from indigent backgrounds.

Under his leadership, the ministry has supported tertiary education scholarships, alongside free JAMB and WAEC registration assistance for prospective students.

These interventions aim to reduce financial barriers to education while strengthening the talent pipeline that feeds into the state’s digital economy agenda.

A Holistic Approach to Community Welfare

In a departure from the narrow view of ICT as purely technical, Okorie’s approach integrates community welfare and social support.

During Thanksgiving and outreach events, his office facilitated the enrolment of 50 individuals into health insurance schemes, underscoring the belief that digital empowerment must go hand-in-hand with social well-being.

This broader engagement has helped position ICT initiatives as part of everyday development rather than isolated government programmes.

Activating the Ebonyi State ICT Hub

At the infrastructure and ecosystem level, Okorie oversees the Ebonyi State ICT Hub, which has become a growing centre for digital learning and innovation.

The hub has inducted hundreds of participants into various technology training programmes, serving as a focal point for innovation, collaboration, and digital inclusion across the state.

The hub’s activities reinforce Ebonyi’s ambition to nurture local talent and create an environment where innovation can thrive.

Building Strategic Partnerships for Digital Growth

Recognising the importance of collaboration, the commissioner has pursued strategic partnerships with national and sectoral institutions, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

These partnerships are helping to strengthen policy alignment, capacity building, and regulatory awareness within the state’s growing digital ecosystem. Such collaborations are critical to sustaining digital growth and ensuring that Ebonyi remains aligned with national ICT frameworks.

A Vision Aligned with State Development Goals

Under the leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru, Uzor Tochukwu Okorie’s ICT agenda seeks to embed technology into the fabric of Ebonyi State’s development strategy.

The overarching goal is to ensure that residents, particularly young people, gain practical digital literacy, economic opportunities, and access to innovation-driven growth. Through skills development, education support, ecosystem building, and community engagement, Ebonyi State is laying the groundwork for a tech-savvy populace capable of competing in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.

Enugu State

8. Prince (Dr). Lawrence Ezeh and the Drive to Position Enugu as an Innovation Hub

As Enugu State continues its push toward a technology-driven economy, the role of leadership in shaping innovation policy has become increasingly critical.

Prince Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology (and at different points, Youth and Sports), has made his tenure reflect a deliberate strategy to align technology with economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

Operating within Governor Peter Mbah’s reform-focused administration, Dr. Ezeh has worked to ensure that innovation is not treated as an abstract concept, but as a practical tool for improving livelihoods, strengthening food systems, and empowering the next generation.

Growing Enugu’s Technology Ecosystem

One of the defining features of Dr. Ezeh’s work has been his commitment to building a vibrant and connected tech ecosystem in Enugu.

Through initiatives such as the Enugu Tech Festival, the state has created platforms where local innovators, startups, and young tech professionals can showcase ideas, exchange knowledge, and connect with global technology communities.

The festival has also served as a bridge between local talent and international opportunities.

Notably, innovators like Divine  Anekwe of eMainMarket gained exposure to global platforms such as the Startup World Cup, reinforcing Enugu’s visibility on the international innovation map.

Empowering Youth and Women Through Technology

Recognising that inclusive growth depends on participation, Dr. Ezeh placed strong emphasis on youth and women empowerment. His approach focused on equipping these groups with relevant digital skills, innovation tools, and access to resources that enable them to participate actively in the state’s evolving digital economy.

By prioritising inclusion, the Ministry sought to ensure that technological advancement translated into real opportunities, particularly for women and young people who are often excluded from high-growth innovation spaces.

Innovation in Service of Food Security and Social Impact

Beyond the tech ecosystem, Dr. Ezeh consistently highlighted the role of science and technology in addressing food security and community well-being. Through advocacy and policy direction, his ministry explored how innovation could improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food supply chains, and support sustainable livelihoods.

This focus underscored a broader philosophy: that technology policy must deliver social value, not just economic headlines.

Partnerships and Collaborative Growth

Understanding that innovation thrives through collaboration, Dr. Ezeh actively pursued partnerships with stakeholders across the private sector, development organisations, and the innovation community.

These collaborations aimed to expand access to training, tools, and opportunities for residents across Enugu State, while also strengthening the state’s institutional capacity for innovation.

A Vision Aligned with Sustainable Development

Prince Dr. Lawrence Ezeh’s leadership reflected a commitment to positioning Enugu as a hub for practical, inclusive, and sustainable innovation.  By aligning science and technology with education, youth development, agriculture, and social welfare, his work reinforced the idea that digital transformation must be people-centred.

In essence, his contribution lies in laying the groundwork for an innovation ecosystem where technology serves as a catalyst for economic growth, global relevance, and social upliftment, particularly for women and young people who represent Enugu’s future.

9. Nnaemeka Ani: Innovation-Driven Governance in Enugu

As Enugu State accelerates its transformation agenda under Governor Peter Mbah, technology has emerged as a central pillar for governance, service delivery, and economic growth. For instance, Governor Peter Mbah no longer accepts ‘paper works’; every memo from commissioners, heads of agencies, contractors and the likes go through the eGovernance platform.

At the heart of this digital push is Nnaemeka Ani, the Special Personal Adviser (SPA) on ICT to the Governor, whose role has been instrumental in shaping the state’s emerging smart governance framework.

Ani’s position places him at the strategic intersection of policy, innovation, and execution, helping to translate Governor Mbah’s ambitious vision of a lean, efficient, data-driven government into practical digital systems.

Anchoring Enugu’s Digital Transformation Agenda

Governor Mbah has been unequivocal about his intention to run Enugu as a modern enterprise, driven by technology, efficiency, and measurable outcomes. Within this context, Ani’s responsibility extends beyond advisory functions to include coordinating digital strategy, aligning ICT initiatives across MDAs, and ensuring technology underpins governance reforms.

Ani has consistently emphasised that digital transformation is not about deploying trendy tools, but about building systems that endure, scale, and deliver real value to citizens.

This philosophy aligns with the administration’s broader goal of institutional reform rather than cosmetic digitisation.

From Innovation Rhetoric to Legacy Thinking

A recurring theme in Ani’s public engagements is the call for legacy-driven innovation. He has urged African and Nigerian tech professionals to move away from short-term, hype-driven solutions and instead focus on technologies that solve structural problems in governance, productivity, and service delivery.

In his view, Enugu’s digital journey must be part of a larger African technology narrative, one that prioritises impact, sustainability, and long-term relevance over experimentation without continuity. This thinking has helped frame Enugu’s ICT direction as one rooted in outcomes rather than optics.

Technology as a Governance Enabler

As SPA on ICT, Ani plays a critical role in supporting the Governor’s push for a smart, accountable, and performance-oriented government.

His advisory input feeds into initiatives aimed at:

• Digitising government processes
• Improving data collection and decision-making
• Enhancing transparency and service efficiency
• Reducing bureaucratic friction through technology

While detailed reporting on specific projects under Ani’s tenure is still evolving, his influence is evident in the administration’s consistent messaging that technology is non-negotiable to governance reform in Enugu State.

Championing the Tech Ecosystem

Aside government circles, Ani has positioned himself as an advocate for the tech ecosystem, encouraging innovators, startups, and professionals to align their work with real development challenges.

He has repeatedly challenged tech talents to build solutions that can outlive administrations and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

This advocacy resonates with Enugu’s aspiration to become a regional hub for innovation, talent development, and digital enterprise, particularly in the South East.

A Strategic Role in a Broader Vision

Although deeper investigative reporting is still needed to fully catalogue the projects and systems implemented under his watch, Nnaemeka Ani’s role remains pivotal.

As the digital conscience of the Mbah administration, he helps ensure that technology is not treated as a support function but as core infrastructure for governance and development.

In a state seeking rapid transformation within a short political cycle, the effectiveness of Enugu’s ICT strategy, guided in part by Ani, will be critical to determining whether Governor Mbah’s vision translates into measurable, sustainable progress.

10. Obi Ozor: Linking smart infrastructure and digital transformation to e-Governance

Dr. Obi Ozor, the Enugu State commissioner for Transportation, has positioned mobility as a core pillar of the state’s smart infrastructure and e-Governance agenda, driving data-enabled, citizen-centric transport reforms that align with Governor Peter Mbah’s broader vision of a digitally driven, efficient, and sustainable Enugu.

Rather than viewing transportation solely as physical infrastructure, Dr. Ozor’s approach integrates intelligent systems, clean energy, and operational efficiency to create a responsive urban mobility framework that supports economic productivity and improved service delivery.

Smart Infrastructure & e-Governance Impact in Enugu

Dr. Ozor has overseen the rollout of five ultra-modern bus terminals designed not only as transit hubs but as smart public infrastructure capable of supporting digital ticketing, route optimization, passenger data management, and integrated urban planning.

The deployment of 200 CNG-powered buses reflects a deliberate shift toward sustainable, future-ready transport solutions aligned with global smart city standards.

Optimised Urban Mobility through Governance Reform

By restructuring bus terminals operations and enforcing proper park usage, the Ministry has reduced indiscriminate roadside loading, easing congestion and improving traffic flow.  This governance-led intervention strengthens regulatory compliance while creating order, safety, and predictability within the transport ecosystem.

Foundation for Multimodal, Integrated Transport Systems

In line with Governor Peter Mbah’s development blueprint, Dr. Ozor is laying the groundwork for a multimodal transport system that connects road transport with future mass transit options.

This approach supports seamless movement, improved connectivity, and data-driven planning, key elements of effective e-Governance.

Technology-Driven Leadership

Leveraging his experience as founder of logistics technology company Kobo360, Dr. Ozor brings a systems-thinking mindset to public transport management.

His background informs the adoption of innovation, efficiency metrics, and digital coordination in service delivery, bridging the gap between private-sector tech expertise and public-sector governance.

11. Arinze Chilo-Offiah and the Quiet Work of Building Enugu’s Digital Economy

When conversations turn to digital transformation in Enugu State, attention often gravitates toward infrastructure, broadband, or flagship technology projects.

Yet beneath these visible layers lies a quieter, more foundational effort, building human capacity and small business resilience to thrive in a digital-first economy.

At the centre of this effort is Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to Governor Peter Mbah on SME Development and Director-General of the Enugu SME Clinic.

Chilo-Offiah’s work reflects a deliberate understanding that e-Governance and smart infrastructure cannot function without digitally competent people. From civil servants to teachers, artisans, youths, and entrepreneurs, his strategy has focused on equipping Enugu’s workforce with the skills, tools, and institutional support needed to participate meaningfully in the 21st-century economy.

Building Digital Capacity for Governance and Growth

One of the most significant pillars of Chilo-Offiah’s mandate has been digital literacy as a governance enabler. Through structured training programmes, thousands of civil servants and teachers across Enugu State have been introduced to essential digital skills, ranging from basic productivity tools to technology-enabled service delivery.

This investment directly supports the state’s broader e-Governance agenda, ensuring that public sector workers are not just recipients of digital reforms but active participants in the transition to modern, technology-driven government operations.

Creating Spaces for Innovation: Café One

Understanding that innovation thrives in communities, not silos, Chilo-Offiah led the establishment of Café One, a government-backed coworking and innovation hub.

More than just a workspace, Café One serves as a convergence point for tech professionals, startups, freelancers, and digital nomads.

By providing affordable access to reliable infrastructure and a collaborative environment, the hub has become a catalyst for idea exchange, mentorship, and startup formation, positioning Enugu as an emerging node in Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem.

Skills, Capital, and Opportunity for SMEs

Chilo-Offiah’s portfolio addresses the real-world needs of small businesses and artisans.

Under his leadership, the Enugu SME Clinic has rolled out targeted interventions such as the Auto-Revamp Innovative Training Program (AITP), which equips beneficiaries with modern automotive and technical skills aligned with today’s evolving mobility and mechanical industries.

Complementing skills development is the Human Capital Development Loan (HCDL),an interest-free loan scheme designed to remove one of the biggest barriers facing entrepreneurs: access to capital. By pairing funding with training, the programme promotes sustainability rather than dependency.

Strategy Rooted in Inclusion and Job Creation

At the heart of Chilo-Offiah’s approach is a clear development philosophy: reducing poverty and unemployment by unlocking the untapped potential of small businesses and individuals. Through the Enugu SME Centre, processes for accessing training, financing, and support have been simplified, lowering entry barriers for entrepreneurs across the state.

This strategy aligns closely with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of an economically productive, innovation-driven Enugu, where growth is inclusive and skills-based rather than extractive.

Partnerships that Scale Impact

Recognising the importance of collaboration, Chilo-Offiah has also secured partnerships with credible institutions such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Tech4Dev, expanding the scale and quality of training programmes delivered to Enugu residents.

These partnerships bring global best practices, resources, and credibility, reinforcing Enugu’s positioning as a state serious about digital transformation and human capital development.

Shaping a Future-Ready Enugu

In essence, Arinze Chilo-Offiah’s contribution lies in building the people layer of Enugu’s digital future. By combining skills development, innovation spaces, access to finance, and strategic partnerships, he is helping to create a workforce and SME ecosystem capable of supporting e-Governance, driving innovation, and generating sustainable jobs.

While infrastructure may define the skyline, it is initiatives like these that ultimately determine whether digital transformation delivers real value to citizens, and on that front, the groundwork in Enugu is steadily being laid.

Imo State

12. Dr. Chimezie Amadi: Digital Economy as Economic Policy in Imo

In a strategic push to position Imo State as a leading force in Africa’s digital landscape, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, the Commissioner for Digital Economy & E-Government, has become a central architect of modernization.

Under the vision of Governor Hope Uzodinma, Dr. Amadi has spearheaded a series of transformative initiatives designed to pivot the state from a traditional economy to a thriving, knowledge-based “tech hub.”

Through the implementation of the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA), the state is no longer just a participant in the digital age, it is setting the pace for innovation and governance in Nigeria.

The Pillars of Transformation

The rapid evolution of Imo State’s tech ecosystem is built upon several high-impact projects that focus on both infrastructure and human capital.

SkillUpImo Project: This flagship program has become a cornerstone of youth empowerment. By training thousands of young citizens in high-demand fields such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, the initiative bridges the gap between local talent and global demand.

The “Imo Techosphere”: To ensure that training leads to tangible outcomes, the Techosphere platform connects SkillUpImo graduates with international job opportunities, creating a direct pipeline to the global digital economy.

e-Government & Digital Identity: Dr. Amadi has prioritized the modernization of public services. By enhancing digital identification systems and transitioning government processes to digital platforms, the ministry has improved transparency and efficiency in state administration.

A Recognized Leader in Innovation

The success of these initiatives has not gone unnoticed. Under Dr. Amadi’s leadership, Imo State has garnered prestigious national recognition, including awards for AI compliance and ICT development. These accolades solidify the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s rising innovation capital.

By fostering a robust digital infrastructure and focusing on “IDEA,” the Ministry is ensuring that Imo State remains competitive in an increasingly automated world.

The focus remains clear: leveraging technology to create jobs, streamline governance, and empower the next generation of digital leaders.

By framing digitalisation as part of economic policy, the state aligns with global trends where the digital economy contributes between 15–35% of GDP in advanced markets.

Dr. Amadi’s leadership reflects a broader recognition that youth employment, innovation, and competitiveness are now deeply tied to access to digital tools and skills.

A Regional Story of Quiet Transformation

Individually, these leaders operate within different state contexts. Collectively, they tell a compelling story of a region repositioning itself for the digital future, through policy reform, infrastructure investment, skills development, and innovation support.

While challenges remain, funding gaps, connectivity constraints, and talent retention among them, the South East’s technology trajectory suggests a deliberate shift from analog governance to digitally enabled development.

As Nigeria accelerates its national digital economy agenda, the experiences of these South East states offer valuable lessons: that sustainable technology advancement is not driven by gadgets alone, but by visionary leadership, institutional commitment, and people-focused innovation.

In the years ahead, the success of these efforts may well determine whether the South East emerges not just as Nigeria’s commercial heartbeat, but as one of its most dynamic digital regions.

*[Recognition: Uche Aniche, convener of StartupSouth contributed towards writing of this article]

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the drive to deepen local capital participation in Africa’s innovation ecosystem, particularly across Nigeria’s South-East region.

The event will also be a flagship feature of #StartupSouthX, the 10th convening of the #StartupSouth ecosystem billed for October 2-3, and is expected to bring together a powerful mix of angel investors, founders, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders.

The partnership will catalyse efforts to:

• Mobilise local and diaspora capital to support high-growth African startups

• Launch the Imo Business Angel Network (IBAN)

• Showcase investment-ready ventures from South-East Nigeria and beyond

• Foster cross-border collaboration among investors and ecosystem enablers

• Position Imo State as a leading model for sub-national, innovation-led development

• Contribute critical insights and momentum to the main ABAN Congress on 17 – 18 October 2025

Uche Aniche, #StartupSouth Convener, expressed his excitement in partnering with ABAN in this historic effort to build the investment infrastructure in South-East Nigeria. He emphasised that Owerri is a fitting stage for this gathering, and looks forward to welcoming Africa’s investor community.

“This partnership with ABAN and the hosting of the African Business Angel Investment Roundtable in Imo State represents more than a milestone; it is a clear signal of the growing maturity and strategic depth of Africa’s startup and investment ecosystem. By convening this high-level conversation in the South-East, we are elevating the region’s role in shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent. More importantly, it creates a timely platform to catalyze local capital participation and deepen the investment pipeline for founders across the South-East and South-South. It’s a bold and fitting way to commence #StartupSouthX Sessions.” 

Speaking on the strategic importance of regional engagement and inclusive capital mobilisation, Yemi Keri, President of ABAN, emphasized the importance of this partnership:

“This partnership with #StartupSouth is a clear demonstration of ABAN’s commitment to deepening local capital participation across all regions of Africa. By co-hosting this roundtable in Owerri, we’re not only expanding the reach of angel investing but also celebrating the innovation potential of Nigeria’s South-East. It is essential that every founder, no matter where they are based, has access to smart capital and supportive networks.”

Also speaking on the significance of the partnership and its alignment with the broader goals of ABAN Congress 2025, Fadilah Tchoumba, CEO of ABAN, stated:

“ABAN is committed to amplifying early-stage capital mobilisation across the continent. Our partnership with #StartupSouth is a strategic step towards democratizing access and ensuring that angel investment reaches founders and regions often overlooked. The Owerri roundtable sets the tone for ABAN Congress 2025, where we will reflect on a decade of impact and activate bold, Africa-led capital solutions for the next. We are excited to build with partners who share our vision.”

The event will feature curated startup showcases, investor-founder dialogues, ecosystem conversations, and the unveiling of the IBAN Framework.

Outputs from the roundtable will feed into the main ABAN Congress 2025, taking place in Lagos, this October 2025.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building stronger sub-national investment ecosystems and ensuring that insights from regional innovation hubs help shape continent-wide investment strategies. 

For partnership opportunities and general inquiries, contact secretariat@abanangels.org

The session delved into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in today’s globalized world. As businesses increasingly seek to expand beyond local markets, the need for innovative strategies to break down geographic and operational barriers has become paramount.

The session explored the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in today’s globalized world. As businesses increasingly seek to expand beyond local markets, having unique and professional branding is essential.

One innovative approach to building a strong brand identity is through custom business cards, which allow entrepreneurs to make lasting impressions in any market.

Tools like Adobe Express make it easy to design and print personalized business cards that help break down geographic and operational barriers.

The session featured industry experts from diverse sectors: Alaseidiema Atedoghu, the admin & cultural manager at Cinfores, brought her extensive experience in navigating cultural complexities within multinational organizations.

Emem Jacob Edem, CEO of the Etegram Group, shared insights from scaling his diverse conglomerate across multiple regions.

Also, Tobi Ololade, CEO and engineering lead of Dojah, leveraged his technical background in leading a fast-growing fintech company.

The panelists discussed how entrepreneurs can harness innovation to fuel growth and successfully scale their businesses across borders. Key themes included leveraging technology, navigating regulatory environments, and tapping into new markets while addressing the unique challenges of global expansion.

Tobi Ololade speaking on balancing business growth and impacting the local community said: “Startups can balance growth and community impact by creating products people need, not just what they want.”

Emem, speaking on the challenges of building a borderless business, noted that while regulatory hurdles may arise for businesses looking to operate internationally, it is pertinent that adequate research is made to ensure proper understanding of the business environment.

The conversation also highlighted the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and digital transformation in fostering borderless business models.

Alaseidiema highlights the need for Startups to adapt to the cultural nuances of regions they are expanding to.

In her words: “Communication is very important. Founders must understand verbal and nonverbal communication, direct and indirect communication. Communication style differs and founders must learn to speak in a way that their local communities understand.

“There is also the issue of flexibility. Founders need to be flexible as they look to expand. There is no exact way to do things if a startup wants to expand to a new terrain or locality.”

This session provided valuable insights for entrepreneurs eager to expand their reach and operate seamlessly across different regions.

Tobi speaking on the inclusion of technology in business asserts that technology is solely responsible for the success of a business. He further said that technology only enhances business operations.

“I have always disagreed that technology is the first thing a business needs. My first advice to founders is that they should solve a problem first without technology. If they remain successful in the short-run, then they can go ahead to include technology to enhance operations.

Try out that business idea in your local market or a Whatsapp community and see it work. The success of a startup is not in technology. Technology comes to enhance what you have already built in terms of operations.

The panelists highlighted that while challenges such as regulatory hurdles, cultural differences, and logistical issues persist, they are not insurmountable.

Through innovative approaches and a focus on scalability, businesses can overcome these obstacles and tap into new opportunities.

For entrepreneurs looking to scale, the message was clear: technology is not an end, but a tool for growth—it’s a necessity for success in an increasingly borderless world.

This Hackathon is the first of many exciting partnerships and features for #StartupSouth9. With $3 million in potential investment and instant cash prizes available, this event is a golden opportunity for blockchain and Web3 developers to showcase their skills by building on the Asset Chain from Xend Finance.

Benefits

The $RWA Hackathon offers a unique chance for developers to gain exposure and access to resources that can accelerate their projects. Participants will benefit from:

• Potential Investment: With $3 million up for grabs, projects that stand out can secure funding to take their ideas to the next level.
• Instant Cash Prizes: Besides potential investments, there are immediate cash rewards for developers who create innovative solutions. The first prize is $1,000, with second and third prizes set at $750 and $500, respectively, and seven consolation prizes of $100 each.
• Exposure and Networking: Engage with industry leaders and fellow developers, expanding your network within the blockchain and Web3 community.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Utilize the Asset Chain, which supports fast, scalable, and secure smart contract transactions, offering a robust platform for development.

Eligibility

The hackathon is open to:

• Blockchain and Web3 Developers: Individuals or teams with skills in blockchain technology and Web3 development.
• Innovative Thinkers: Those who are passionate about leveraging blockchain to solve real-world problems.
• Global Participants: Developers from around the world are encouraged to join and showcase their talents on an international stage.

How to Apply

The $RWA Hackathon, running from July 31 to October 3, 2024, offers developers the chance to solve real-life challenges and win big. To participate in the $RWA Hackathon, follow these steps:

1. Learn More About Asset Chain: Familiarise yourself with the Asset Chain by visiting this link to understand its capabilities and potential applications. The Asset Chain is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine and provides a fast, scalable, and secure platform, achieving transaction finality in 1–2 seconds and processing up to 5,000 transactions per second.
2. Sign Up: If you’re a developer or part of a team, register for the hackathon by visiting this link.
3. Stay Informed: For additional information and updates, check out the event details on LinkedIn.

Key Hackathon Activities & Dates

• July 31: Hackathon Announcement & Application Commencement
• August 9: Hackathon Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) Session
• August 15: Application Deadline
• September 14: Project Submission Deadline
• September 22: Shortlist Announcement
• October 3: Hackathon Demo Day at the #StartupSouth9 Conference in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The $RWA Hackathon promises to be a groundbreaking event, providing a platform to highlight and showcase Xend Finance’s Asset Chain. This initiative is set to change how legally transactable asset types are handled on-chain, and participants have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this innovation. 

Participants are encouraged to build, pitch, and win, becoming part of the future of blockchain. Interested developers can apply now and start building by visiting the website.

In a statement, Ugochukwu Aronu, the founder of Xend Finance, said, “The Hackathon will give innovators the opportunity to take Xend Finance’s latest cutting-edge platform for a spin.” This comes on the heels of the first Hackathon that produced Lazerpay. 

Speaking on the collaboration, the Convener of #StartupSouth, Uche Aniche, said, “We are excited to be providing a platform to launch this innovative and groundbreaking solution built by Xend Finance. We look forward to celebrating and supporting the products that will emerge from the Hackathon.”

The project, Techeconomy gathered, will culminate into a South-South and South-East Startup Landscape & State of Digital Jobs Report.

The Report seeks to propel the regional digital and innovation space, attract investors, talents and support by showcasing its current strength, gaps and opportunities.

It will provide a comprehensive mapping, documentation and spotlight of key activities, innovators and stakeholders who are leveraging technology to create opportunities and solve diverse economic/development challenges for and from the region.

Such key actors include startups, financiers, events, support organizations (including Hubs, Universities, Enterprise Support Organizations -ESOs, Government Institutions etc) across eleven States in the regions

The Digital Ecosystem in the South-South/South-East of Nigeria has grown over the last Ten years as home to great Institutions and vibrant Technology communities (such as Google Developer Group, Meta Circle and others). It’s also home to several innovative early stage Startups (and Founders) including  Xend Finance  (Google backed DeFi platform), Greenage Technology (Nigeria’s foremost Solar OEM) and HouseAfrica (Sytemap) to mention a few.

Despite the foregoing, very little is known about the Ecosystem from outside leading to fewer coverage and opportunities for its stakeholders.

#StartupSouth believes the Nigeria Innovation ecosystem is capable of more than it has achieved in recent years and is positioning South-South-East Nigeria to become the epicenter of future growth. This project represents a step in that direction.

The report will also help States (and Cities) in the region identify and deploy their unique strengths for development. The states covered in the report include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states.

The project which enjoys technical support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Nigeria’s Innovation Center through the Accelerator Lab will publish its findings during a special #ScaleSouth Summit to be held in the second quarter of 2024.

“Through this collaborative effort, we aim to shine a spotlight on the immense potential of the South-South-East Startup ecosystem by identifying key stakeholders, mapping ecosystem activities, and highlighting opportunities and gaps. We seek to catalyze strategic interventions for sustainable development and job creation,” said Uche Aniche, convener of #StartupSouth

“At UNDP, we strongly believe that it is possible to catalyse inclusive growth in Nigeria and spark a development revolution through Regional Innovation. By providing technical support to this important work, we hope that the ecosystem gets re-energised to show-case its transformative impact and create opportunities for sustained collaboration and partnership with others,” said William Tsuma, chief innovation officer and head of UNDP Office in Lagos.

“Highlighting the depth of the digital economy and startup ecosystem holds immense potential for equitable, accelerated and sustainable job creation in the South-South and South-East region. This timely intervention by #StartupSouth is a huge step in the right direction as it will spotlight opportunities, inspire collaborations, and catalyze strategic investments in the ecosystem. SSEAN is happy to support this project” Engr. Olushola Aina, Board Member at South-South-East Angel Network (SSEAN).

Zoho for Startups and #StartupSouth, bringing forth several advantages for the Nigerian startup ecosystem, aim to provide financial support, access to Zoho apps, and educational programs to these startups

Uche Aniche, representing #StartupSouth, highlighted the importance of supporting startups, emphasizing their role in driving economic value. He noted, “For startups, it is true that 90% fail. But what is also true is that the 10% that succeed create huge value in the economy.”

The partnership offers tangible benefits, including access to Zoho Wallet credits worth N470,000, access to a suite of 55+ Zoho apps and services, and participation in educational programs. This initiative aligns with global trends where governments are recognising the key role of startups in economic development and actively supporting their growth.

#STARTUPSOUTH, led by Uche Aniche, has been a driving force in ecosystem development and advocacy, particularly focusing on high-impact ventures in Nigeria’s South-South and Southeast regions. Aniche emphasized the need to decentralise startup activities beyond Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, stating, “We want to make sure that everyone doesn’t have to flock to Lagos for economic opportunities.”

He further explained that #StartupSouth is not just an organisation but a “community of communities,” with over 15,000 members working towards creating economic opportunities across the country. This community has already produced successful companies, and the program with Zoho is set to further empower startups.

The collaboration between #StartupSouth and Zoho for Startups is not merely a partnership; it’s a meeting of shared values and objectives. Aniche pointed out the alignment between the two entities, highlighting Zoho’s mission to localism and establishing offices in rural locations rather than concentrating solely in major cities. This is in line with #StartupSouth’s goal to extend economic opportunities beyond urban centers.

Aniche commended Zoho’s intentionality in building simple, easy-to-use products and its focus on understanding and serving specific communities. He noted, “What was even more valuable to me was the fact that they are very intentional about what they can do and who they are building for.”

He further acknowledged the positive impact of the Zoho for Startups program on the community, with members utilising Zoho Wallet credits to access tools and resources. The collaboration aims to raise awareness about digitalisation and also to drive core product innovation among startups.

Ali Shabdar, Regional Director, MEA, Zoho, expressed Zoho’s commitment to serving communities and reports on the success of similar programs in Dubai. He mentioned, “We managed to serve more than 4000 Dubai-based companies, amounting to $5 billion in investment.”

The Zoho for Startups partnership with #StartupSouth signifies a heightened step towards bolstering the Nigerian startup ecosystem. As the collaboration goes deeper, it promises to empower startups, drive innovation, and contribute significantly to the economic growth of Nigeria. This strategic alliance exemplifies the potential impact when organisations with aligned values join forces to uplift and support emerging businesses.

Now in its 2nd Edition, Ogbomoso Digital Economy Summit is the annual flagship economic conference and platform that facilitate dialogues, connections, networking and opportunities for diverse members of the Ogbomoso community including entrepreneurs, startup founders, government officials, civil society members, academics, early-stage investors and large corporates.

In a statement on Tuesday, the organizers disclosed that speakers and guests confirmed at the conference include the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orunmogege III); Prof ROM Kalilu, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Tim Handorf, Co-founder of G2 Crowd; Oluseun Onigbinde, Global Director of BudgIt; Remi Odunsi, CEO, Eridan Group; Jesudamilare Adesegun-David, Co-founder and CEO, Ennovate Lab; Dr Adeyemi C. Aderinto, Director, SQI College of ICT; Dr. Kolawole Oladipo, Founder, Helix Biogen Consult; Tayo Sobowale, CEO, The Pitch Business Community; Rev Peter Bright, Founder, Mandatic DIMEC, and Abiola Dabiri, Asst. Vice President Corporate Secretariat of Africa Finance Corporation.

Others speakers at Ogbomoso Digital Economy Summit are, Uche Aniche, Convener, #StartupSouth; Bisi Oni, Executive Director/COO, FundQuest Financial Services Limited; Yemisi Isidi, co-Founder of Cirkle Labs; Prof Justice Emuoyibofarhe, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, LAUTECH; Gabriel Okeowo, Country Director, BudgIt; Kunle Adegoke, CEO of Archiscope Limited; Jinmisayo Awokola, COO of Motopay; Prof. Agbaje Lateef, Professor of Nanotechnology, LAUTECH; Arturo Machado, Research and Development Director at ST Engineering Hackney (High Tech Manufacturing); Prof. Julius Kola Oloke, Vice Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University; Emeka Okoye, CEO of Open Data NG; Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State; Amanda Hufford, Founder, Context Design Studio among others.

The theme for this year’s Conference is Building a Sustainable Economy through Digital Transformation. Speaking about the theme, one of the co-conveners and Co-founder of Ennovate Lab, Jesudamilare Adesegun-David said that, the theme and the line-up of speakers will serve to enlighten all stakeholders present on the impact of digital transformation in building a sustainable economy in Ogbomoso. He also stressed that the Summit aims to delve into the appropriate strategies to leverage the combined efforts and resources of the government, academia and the private sector, to ensure that the city thrives in the evolving digital landscape, safeguarding its economic prosperity for the long term.

The Conference which will last for 2 days will feature Keynotes from national and international speakers, Panel Sessions across diverse economic sectors, Lightning Talks, and Workshops.

The Ogbomoso Digital Economy Summit is co-convened by Ennovate Lab, Mandatic DIMEC, The Pitch Community, SQI College of ICT and Helix Biogen Consult.

Building a Startup is hard. It’s even harder building one in a disadvantaged or an emerging city where there is poor infrastructure, limited funding opportunities and support. This is why most talented people relocate out of such cities.

In this article, I explore how Founders in this situation can explore leverage as a first principle to thrive.

Founders often feel handicapped and without assets. As someone who has built and supported many Startups in similar cities for almost a decade, I probably know a thing or two on how to thrive as an early stage founder.

What does Leverage as a first Principle mean?

Cambridge dictionary defines first principle as “the basic and most important reasons for doing or believing something”

Cambridge dictionary also says Leverage is “to use something that you already have in order to achieve something new or better”

As a Founder, It means to first look inward for and maximise resources within, which may not already be apparent. These could be talents, relationship, finance, insights, experience, skills and even opportunities.

Founders often treat Startup origination conversation as if it’s purely about chasing ideas or Apps. The reason you find many conversations and web searches on “what business can I do using X amount?” But, regardless of where you’re based, the genesis of any business is an opportunity that the promoters are sufficiently positioned and primed for – either by virtue of their insights, experience, network or access.

Building a Startup is no different. One of the most important questions investors ask Founders is: “Why you and why now?” The investor simply wants to understand what ‘significant’ experience and insights your team have and if there are verifiable economic trends underpinning your pursuit. Additionally, they want to establish if there’s a founder-problem-fit as well as founder-market-fit.

Founder-Problem-Fit vs Founder-Market-Fit

Founder-Problem-Fit is a measure of the degree to which a Founder identifies with the problem he’s trying to solve. It is an attempt to measure the Founders’ motivation for solving the problem and possibly predict their perseverance threshold. It is believed that Founders with a direct or indirect negative experience of the problem they are trying to solve typically get deeply motivated and are often willing to suffer hardships to conquer obstacles on their way.

I had difficulty accessing support to scale our Cloud Accounting Software – 1Suite as a Founder based in Port Harcourt and this experience motivated me to build #StartupSouth to ensure others get the opportunities they need. Nine years later, I am still on this mission regardless of the challenges we have encountered on our path. Similarly, Ndifreke Ikpoku, Co-Founder of HouseAfrica was a victim of Land Sales scam and that motivated him and his Schoolmate Nnamdi Uba to build Sytemap by HouseAfrica.

Founder-Market-Fit

Founder-Market-Fit unlike Founder-Product-Fit is a measure of the degree to which the Founding team is sufficiently exposed to the industry by way of cognate experience. The thinking here is that people with domain experience solving problems they encounter in the line of duty will often have sufficient insight of the market as well as understand competition and industry trajectory.

Some examples of this in Nigeria would include Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola of Flutterwave and Sola Akinlade of Paystack. While GB worked with Access Bank and saw first hand the opportunities in enabling real-time virtual payments, Shola saw first hand the opportunity in bringing more businesses online by enabling payment for their transactions while he consulted for Banks.

Types of Leverage you could explore

GB and Shola both had Insight because of their exposure to the Nigerian Banking system, had the skills to build the product and had people in their network who provided initial investment or connected them to early investors.  Eric Yuan, Zoom CEO, as a former corporate vice president for Cisco Webex had leverage as well having gotten the inspiration from trying to solve Webex customers’ unattended complaints. CEO of Webex ended up investing in Zoom.

Founders – especially – those building from emerging and less resourced cities could exploit the following types of leverages:

• Leveraged insights. Insights come from sustained exposure and critical analysis of information. Pay attention to the gaps in your current job with a view to unearthing industry wide patterns that require improvement. Speak about and demonstrate these insights a bit more in your conversations with investors. This remains the most potent source of Startup ideas.
• Leveraged network. Your network is your net worth, goes the popular saying. Many of the resources you need may already be within reach in your circles but there may be a miss-match between current form and your expectations. What you are looking for may just be a connection away – with the friend of your friend. Develop your network – join Communities and put your network to work. Explore community bargains. As a rule, I tell founders to never pay for anything that can be gotten for free and there are so many of them – if you know where to look. Examples include office space, cloud credits, software credits, free advisory etc. The first full office I ever used was bequeathed to me by my Pastor. It was our former Church office that still had several months rent running complete with most of the fittings. Engage your mentors and existing investors – ask for help if and when you need it.
• Leveraged Traction: Traction is important for your fund raising goals partly because it helps you (primarily) and by extension, potential investors to validate your business model. One of the fastest ways to achieve this is to leverage your immediate network. Your family, church colleagues, communities and associations you belong to, should be your first set of patrons either directly or by referring you to their network.

Conclusion

Building a Startup anywhere is daunting and even harder in emerging or secondary cities with limited infrastructures and institutional support systems. However, if you are working on projects that you have great insights in, a sense of mission with conviction and sufficient leverage will help you succeed.

Resources:

• There’s a great article on Founder-Problem-Fit by the folks at Four Weeks Mba here.
• Similarly, F2VC Team wrote about Founder-Market-Fit here

About the Author

Uche Aniche is the Convener of #StartupSouth (https://8.startupsouth.org) – Startup ecosystem development and advocacy organisation and community of founders building high scale ventures in emerging cities as well as a General Partner at Rebel Seed Capital – a secondary cities focused VC firm based in Port Harcourt.

Announcing this via a message to journalists, Uche Aniche, the Convener of #StartupSouth said Funke was chosen by a Jury in recognition of her contributions to the development of Nigeria’s Innovation Ecosystem.

The Award which is a special category under the Startup Awards by #StartupSiouth was set up in honour of Late Innocent Chukwuma, one of Nigeria’s foremost human rights activists, development professional and former Country Director, West Africa at Ford Foundation.

Flutterwave and their CEO,  Olugbenga Agboola (GB) were both awarded Startup of the Year (National) and Most Inspirational Founder of the Year (National) respectively. Other winners include (but not limited to) CEO of Enugu based Xend Finance, Ugochukwu Aronu (Most inspirational Founder of the Year, (Regional)) and renewable energy OEM and SSEAN portfolio company, Greenage Technologies (Startup of the Year (Regional).

A full list of the winners across all categories can be found here.

Accepting the award, Funke Opeke said, “obviously, the work that we are all committed to do to promote innovation and economic development in Nigeria is not yet done, however with the continued commitment of note-worthy citizens and organizations such as #StartupSouth, I remain optimistic that together, we will continue to make progress and achieve the vision of a more productive and enterprising Nigeria.”

Speaking on behalf of the family,  Mrs Joesphine Effah-Chukwuma, widow of Late Mr. Chukwuma congratulated Ms Opeke and praised her sterling records in support of the Innovation Ecosystem. “Our family is impressed with your work and are grateful to #StartupSouth for initiating this award in honour of our husband, father, brother and in-law.”

#StartupSouth

#StartupSouth is a Startup & Creative/digital Economy ecosystem development and advocacy organization. We are inspiring a generation of founders building high scale ventures across Nigeria with special focus on the South-South/South-East regions.

#StartupSouth collaborates with key stakeholders – including founders, innovation hubs, enterprise support organizations, policy makers, local/international foundations and development organizations –  to co-create solutions to blockers hindering the innovation ecosystem growth.

Startup Awards by #StartupSouth

Startup Awards by #StartupSouth identifies and honours individuals and organizations who through their works are extending the boundaries, deepening innovation ecosystem and creating opportunities.

Startup Awards by #STARTUPSOUTH Winners Full List: