The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of its Governor Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has positioned the state as a leading hub for innovation in Africa, following a series of impactful presentations, engagements and a prestigious award win at two major international forums in Beijing.
Ms. Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, represented the state at both the Triple Helix Association and CASSSP Innovation Summit and the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) 42nd World Conference held in Beijing, China this September.
Her engagements culminated in the Solution Innovation District (SID) the flagship project of the Soludo administration being named among the top 3 winners at the conference’s prestigious IASP Inspiring Solutions Awards 2025, a definitive validation of its transformative model.
At the Triple Helix Summit, Ms. Okoli’s presentation, “The Anambra Story, From Theory to Transformation,” detailed how Governor Soludo’s vision is being executed through the Triple Helix model, strategically aligning government, academia, and industry.
She showcased the SID as a practical, homegrown application of global best practices, already delivering impressive outcomes as over 80,000 citizens trained in various digital skills, building a future-proof workforce and talent for technology development.
Others are dozens of new startups launched, catalysing a new creative and digital economy and ver $2 Million in ecosystem investment secured, demonstrating early international investment confidence.
Building on this momentum at the 42nd IASP World Conference, Ms. Okoli delivered a presentation titled “Bridging Continents Through Innovation: SID and the Power of International Collaboration.”
She detailed Governor Soludo’s strategy of using the SID as a gateway for global partnerships, emphasizing that tackling Africa’s digital growth and youth unemployment requires cross-border cooperation. This theme set the stage for a monumental endorsement of the Anambra model.
The IASP Inspiring Solutions Award, announced during the conference’s Gala Dinner, specifically recognized the “Anambra Digital Tribe” and its ambitious goal to train one million youths, celebrating it as a “transformational, inspiring, and impactful blueprint for building a sustainable, homegrown innovation economy. This award is a powerful testament to Governor Soludo’s foresight and firm commitment.
“His strategic investments in technology infrastructure and youth empowerment have proven that emerging economies can not only participate in but excel on the global innovation stage. Our message in Beijing was clear: Anambra is building global bridges for talent, technology, and capital, and this award confirms that the world is taking notice. Anambra is open for business and ripe for strategic investment.”
The back-to-back presentations in Beijing highlighted key investor-friendly attributes of the Anambra ecosystem, driven by the Governor’s policies shows a clear, Government-Backed Vision.
Anambra is the first subnational government in Nigeria to fully invest in a dedicated innovation district, turning the historic Old Government House into a 13.7-hectare hub- designed to have AI labs, robotics centers, office spaces, residences and advanced research facilities. Opportunity for investment at the district-real estate development, technology infrastructure, R&D etc are now open.
The state has already secured collaborations with global giants like the UNDP, Meta, Microsoft, Connekt Broadband, Circum Technologies etc signposting opportunity for future partners.
