Akwa Ibom, one of the fastest-growing states in Nigeria, is set to host tech experts from around the world for Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2.0, a week-long event taking place in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene.
Starting on October 30 to November 5, 2023, the event will explore the state’s potential as a tech hub and offer a unique platform for innovation, collaboration, and networking.
According to a release from the event’s publicist, Idongesit Essien, the week-long event will be held at the stunning 4 Points by Sheraton hotel, located in the beautiful Raffia City of Ikot Ekpene.
The second edition of the event, according to Essien, is organized by the Ibom Innovation Network, spearheaded by Hanson Johnson, Amanda Etuk, Dr Odiong Akpan, Aniekan Ani-Ezekiel, Lawrence Akubue, Victoria Fabunmi and many others within the committee.
It will feature Keynote speeches, panel discussions, product demonstration, pitch competition, workshops and breakout sessions to be handled by established industry players within tech and startup ecosystems.
Confirmed speakers and attendees include representatives of the Government of Akwa Ibom State, leading members of the tech ecosystem, founders of Akwa Ibom descent.
They include Kachif Innuwa Abdullahi DG National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Oswald Osaretin Guobadia Former Senior Special Assistant on Digital Transformation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Deji Sarumi of Tech Hive Advisory, Aniedi Udo-Obong, Programme Manager at Google; and Mark Essien, the Founder of Hotels.ng, Richmond Bassey of Bamboo, Idorenyin Obong of Grey amongst others.
The release reads in part: “Highlights of Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2023:
“• Inspiring Keynote Speakers: Renowned experts and visionaries will take the stage to share their insights, experiences, and predictions for the future of technology.
“• Engaging Panel Discussions: Thought-provoking discussions will delve into various tech-related topics, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, fintech, and more.
“• Interactive Workshops: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, gaining practical skills and knowledge in emerging technologies.
“• Startup Showcase: Promising startups will showcase their innovative solutions, attracting potential investors, partners, and customers.
“• Networking Opportunities: Opportunity to connect with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and like-minded individuals, fostering collaborations and expanding professional networks.
“Since 2015, the Akwa Ibom tech ecosystem has grown exponentially, at rates never seen before in the state’s 36-year history.
“The number of Innovation hubs have increased from 2 to 14 in the last 7 years. This has resulted in the training of more than 3000 innovators, with many more, triple that number learning informally at their homes and taking remote jobs in software development, product design, project management and business analysis.
“Despite this growth, the ecosystem in its nascent and sprawling phase is facing challenges of poor funding, weak and unfavourable regulatory environment, inadequate infrastructures and an unstructured workforce for talents.
“The signals out of Akwa Ibom are positive and bright. This optimism is driven by decades of sustained aviation development, investment in power generation, road network infrastructure, security and a technology innovation ecosystem that has produced the best of talents on the continent.
“Organized by Ibom Innovation Network Ltd, the Ibom Tech Week is bringing together; industry players, regulators, innovators, government agencies and investors to define and defend the proposition of Akwa Ibom State as Africa’s New Tech Destination.
Others include: To galvanize support for actualizing the mission of making Akwa Ibom Africa’s New Tech Destination and as well showcase the innovation, talents and products from out of Akwa Ibom state that are creating real value on the continent.
