Tech hubs play a catalytic role in driving economic growth and promoting inclusive development
Strident calls have been made for concerted efforts to be directed at creating more thriving tech hubs outside of Lagos and Abuja, as part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to give a fillip to the economy and shore up its fiscal and monetary agenda even as the after-effects of global macro-economic realities continue to linger on.
This is in recognition of the catalytic role as well as the potential of tech hubs in driving economic growth, promoting inclusive development, and pushing the boundaries of innovation so as to address some of the country’s most pressing challenges and increasing demand for digital solutions that will make life better across different spheres of our national life.
In demonstration of its oft-stated commitment to powering the dreams of individuals and businesses, leading financial technology company, Moniepoint Inc., announced its support for the Enugu Tech Summit in its firm belief that empowering and investing in tech hubs outside of traditional centres is essential for creating a more inclusive technology landscape in Nigeria.
The Enugu Tech Summit brought together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and government stakeholders to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the technology sector.
By sponsoring and actively participating in this event, Moniepoint aims to contribute to the development of the nation’s burgeoning tech sector which will give room for the creation of more startups that will positively impact the country’s economy.
Ifeanyi Duru, Vice President, Sales and Partnerships, Moniepoint Inc. said, “We are excited to support the Enugu Tech Summit as it is a firm explication of the passion which we have shown over time in fostering financial inclusion and our conviction that by diversifying the geographical footprint of technology hubs, Nigeria can fully harness the benefits that come with a well-oiled, balanced and evenly spread system.
“We are confident that events like this and the recently held Akwa Ibom Tech Week which we also supported will play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology in Nigeria.”
In his keynote address, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah promised that his administration would continue to train at least 40,000 youths across the state in relevant digital and entrepreneurial skills that would enable them to compete globally.
Speaking to the theme of the summit, “Innovation Unleashed: Transforming Enugu’s Future”, Mbah said the strategic role of his government in enabling a better and viable future for the youths operating in the state was to provide an environment full of opportunities for them to thrive.
He stressed that measures were being put in place that would ignite the young people in the state to unleash their creative energies by embracing the emerging future of robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and innovation through skills in information and technology.
“My objective here is to get you to begin to think digitally, to understand that the emerging future is the one that requires you to acquire a digital skill to thrive. The innovation landscape here is not barren at all.
“With your innovation here, you are able to create a greener pasture right here on our soil than any other place in the world. See this event as a serious business where you have come to acquire a skill, a skill of a lifetime. A skill that will enable you to conquer the world right here in Enugu State,” the governor said.
Convener and founder of TxE Africa, Williams Uchemba, expressed his gratitude to sponsors like Moniepoint while stating that this year’s event represented the huge potential and promise that Enugu holds for the youths in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship.
It will be noted that the emergence of tech innovation hubs in many countries around the world has contributed to the growth of their GDP as it is a veritable means of creating jobs, attracting investments, expansion of the economic base, and stimulating socio-economic development.
