Anambra State has adopted the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) as a step forward in technological advancement for the state.
This move was made known at the 2-day Ecosystem Stakeholders Engagement and Validation Session held at the Solution Innovation District Centre in Awka in December, brought together by key stakeholders, government officials, and industry players to discuss the adoption of this groundbreaking legislation and validate pertinent issues for consideration in the state.
Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the deputy governor, spoke on the importance of embracing technology, reiterating that Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, the governor, is a tech-driven leader.
He emphasised the need for the state to embrace technology urgently and become champions of positive disruption and leaders of the global technology revolution.
Ibezim highlighted the human capital development agenda of the governor, which is to leapfrog the students and youths to become Africa’s digital tribe, offering solutions to problems through technology. He encouraged the youths to think big and unlock their great ideas, calling them the ‘gold of the state’. He also appreciated Chinwe Okoli for her passion and integrity in driving the innovation ecosystem in the state.
Chinwe Okoli, in her opening address, expressed joy at the enthusiasm of Ndi Anambra towards technological advancement. She stated that the governor is committed to championing the ‘everything technology and technology everywhere’ agenda to transform Anambra into the Silicon Valley of Africa.
Okoli said that “adopting the Nigeria Startup Act in the state would create the required enabling environment for startups to thrive in the state.”
“The new act in Anambra will be expected to offer tax incentives, reduce regulatory burdens, and provide funding opportunities. She called for collaborations between academia, government, private sectors, angel investors, venture capitalists, hub founders, startups, and other stakeholders to propel the state to the forefront of the global innovation ecosystem.”
Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, also said that adopting the NSA in the state would protect investors and investments while ensuring the sustainability of businesses over time.
The Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency also agreed that NSA adoption in the state needs to reflect the reality and comparative advantage of the state. Noting that the state is known for commerce and embracing e-commerce is essential. He called on the ecosystem to take collective action, stressing that innovation requires collaboration between the private sector and the government.
Tracy Okoro, the state adoption lead of the NSA, explained that the act was built on four pillars: funding, human development and capacity building, infrastructure (internet connectivity), and regulations.
She underscored the NSA as the co-creation of displacement and disruption enacted to establish the need for innovators and the government to collaborate in creating a conducive environment for technology-enabled businesses to thrive. She emphasises that the ACT in Anambra State will reflect its peculiarities.
Hosted by Chinwe Okoli, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Commissioner for Industry, Christian Udechukwu; Commissioner of Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake; MD of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Fred Agbata (CFA); MD of ANSIPPA, Mark Okoye; State Adoption Lead of the NSA, Tracy Okoro; and other stakeholders in the tech and education sectors.
