The governments of Abia and Enugu states have announced a regional partnership to train 150,000 technology talents and support the growth of 3,000 startups as part of efforts to strengthen the South-East’s digital economy and innovation ecosystem.
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The commitment was made during the South-East Regional Activation of the Africa Innovation Foundry (AIF) held at the Abia State Secretariat Complex in Umuahia. The event brought together government officials, technology experts, innovators, investors, and startup founders to explore strategies for accelerating innovation-driven economic growth across the region.
Speaking at the event, the Abia State Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, David Kalu, said the state has positioned itself as a leading innovation hub in the South-East through deliberate policies aimed at supporting startups and digital entrepreneurs.
Kalu disclosed that Abia recently became the first state in the region to domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act through the Abia Startup Law, providing a legal framework to encourage innovation, attract investment, and protect emerging businesses. He also announced the establishment of a ₦2 billion Abia Startup Support Fund to improve access to financing for startups and technology-driven enterprises.
According to him, the state has also established the Abia State Startup Administration Board, which will oversee startup registration, tax incentives, intellectual property protection, and other initiatives designed to create a more enabling environment for innovators.
Kalu noted that Abia is combining its long-standing strengths in manufacturing and leather production with digital innovation by developing technology parks and innovation clusters. He highlighted the recent launch of Nigeria’s first Manu-Tech Innovation Hub at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, in partnership with the education-reform/">Federal Ministry of Education and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Also speaking, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Lawrence Ezeh, said innovation remains central to Governor Peter Mbah’s economic transformation agenda. He explained that Enugu has continued to invest in digital infrastructure, smart education, and startup development to position the state as the preferred destination for technology investments in Eastern Nigeria.
Ezeh described the Africa Innovation Foundry initiative as timely and called on South-East states to harmonise their digital policies through the proposed South-East Digital Economy Policy Roundtable, noting that regional collaboration is essential to building a globally competitive technology ecosystem.
The Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Digital Economy, Elizabeth Chijioke, said the South-East’s rich entrepreneurial culture and apprenticeship system provide a solid foundation for building a thriving innovation economy. She encouraged innovators to pursue cross-state collaborations and leverage Abia as a platform for testing, scaling, and commercialising innovative solutions.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary in the Abia State Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Justina Eboh, described human capital development as the most valuable infrastructure for sustainable economic growth. She said hosting the regional activation reflects the state’s commitment to creating a technology-driven future powered by skilled young people.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the partnership will accelerate digital skills development, create employment opportunities, support startup growth, and strengthen the South-East’s position as one of Nigeria’s emerging technology hubs.
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