Solution Innovation District (SID) has been officially inducted as a full member into the prestigious International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) at the 41st World Conference held recently in Nairobi, Kenya.
The conference, themed “Demographics, Entrepreneurship, and Technology: Defining the Frontiers of Future Economies,” brought together a diverse global audience of innovation enablers, thought leaders, science experts, and policy makers from across the globe.
This significant achievement positions SID as a key player in the global innovation landscape, aligning perfectly with the vision of Mr. Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to transform Anambra into a digital hub, popularly referred to as “Africa’s Silicon Valley.” By becoming part of the IASP – a globally recognized network of science parks and innovation areas, SID gains access to a vast community of over 400 member organizations from more than 76 countries, representing millions of innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders.
Governor Soludo’s agenda to build a Silicon Valley in Anambra takes a monumental leap forward with SID’s inclusion in IASP. This membership is a vital milestone in his efforts to establish Anambra as a center for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. With access to IASP’s resources, networks, and expertise, SID is now better positioned to attract global investors, create strategic partnerships, and foster an environment where cutting-edge technology and ideas thrive.
The international audience of about 1,000 participants at the 41st IASP World Conference comprised eggheads in innovation and technology ecosystem from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, bringing a wealth of cultural diversity and technological expertise to the discussions.
This diverse representation highlights the global nature of the innovation movement and emphasizes the unique potential for regions and states like Anambra to contribute to and benefit from the international tech ecosystem.
SID’s induction into IASP will provide Anambra’s youth, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts with unparalleled exposure to international trends, fostering an ecosystem that encourages creativity, invention and problem-solving at the highest level.
This development will accelerate the state’s vision of building a sustainable knowledge economy, driven by its rapidly growing youth population.
Already, SID has made significant strides in incubating startups and laying a strong foundation, building the tech ecosystem within the state.
Programs such as Code Anambra, levelUp Anambra, Teen Digital Bootcamp and the Techstars Startup Weekend are empowering young minds with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age. SID is also working to train talents on the project ‘1 million Anambra Digital Tribe’ – a core aspect of Governor Soludo’s agenda to empower the youth with digital and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring that Anambra becomes a leading innovation hub in Africa.
By connecting Anambra to the global innovation network, SID will play a pivotal role in harnessing the power of demographics, entrepreneurship, and technology—the three pillars that will define future economies.
Chinwe Okoli, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation who serves as the CEO of Solution Innovation District, stated, “Being inducted into IASP as a ‘Full Member’ is a significant milestone not just for SID, but for Anambra State.
This recognition is a validation of Mr. Governor’s efforts to put Anambra on the map as a destination for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. With the global network , talents, experience and expertise we now have access to, we can push Mr Governor’s vision of developing Africa’s ‘Silicon Valley’ in Anambra further and faster than ever before.”
The inclusion of SID in this global body signals the state’s readiness to embrace the future of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology as it continues to grow into a hub of digital transformation in Africa.
