The second edition of the Akwa Ibom Tech Week is set to take place from October 30 to November 5, 2023, heralding a week of technological innovation, collaboration, and exploration.
This eagerly anticipated event will unite tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, and innovators from across the globe to delve into emerging technological opportunities and foster partnerships for a brighter future.
Since 2015, Akwa Ibom’s tech ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth, with over a dozen innovation hubs dedicated to nurturing talent, including software engineers, developers, and creative agencies specializing in content and digital marketing.
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The Akwa Ibom Tech Week aims to position Akwa Ibom State as Africa’s latest technology hub, and it has compelling reasons to do so:
Infrastructure Investment: Akwa Ibom State has invested significantly in infrastructure, boasting a remarkable road network, a state-owned power generation plant, a successful airline operation, the development of the Ibom Seaport and Free Trade Zone, plans for a broadband fiber-optic landing station, and a hyperscale data center.
Tourism Potential: The region’s historic legacies in the tourism sector, coupled with its green and serene environment, make it an attractive destination for tourists and investors alike.
Natural Resources: Akwa Ibom has discovered additional commercial deposits of oil and gas, further bolstering its economic potential.
Education Hub: The state is home to well-established maritime educational institutions, federal and state universities, and numerous privately owned higher education institutions.
Security: A comprehensive security architecture ensures peace and stability in the region.
Growing Tech Ecosystem: Akwa Ibom’s burgeoning tech ecosystem, supported by evolving systems and diaspora connections, adds a crucial layer to its development.
Highlights of Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2023
This year’s event promises a week filled with exciting activities where renowned experts and visionaries will share their insights and predictions for the future of technology; thought-provoking conversations will explore various tech-related topics, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and fintech.
Attendees can also participate in hands-on workshops to gain practical skills and knowledge in emerging technologies, and promising startups will present their innovative solutions, attracting potential investors, partners, and customers in order to connect with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and like-minded individuals to forge collaborations and expand professional networks.
The event boasts an impressive lineup of speakers and attendees, including representatives from the Government of Akwa Ibom State, prominent figures in the tech ecosystem, and founders of Akwa Ibom descent. Among them are Kachif Innuwa Abdullahi (DG National Information Technology Development Agency – NITDA), Oswald Osaretin Guobadia (Former Senior Special Assistant on Digital Transformation to the President of Nigeria), Deji Sarumi (Tech Hive Advisory), Aniedi UdoObong (Programme Manager at Google), Mark Essien (Founder of Hotels.ng), Richmond Bassey (Bamboo), and Idorenyin Obong (Grey), among others.
A Dedicated Organizing Committee
The second edition of the Akwa Ibom Tech Week is organized by the Ibom Innovation Network and spearheaded by dedicated individuals, including Hanson Johnson, Amanda Etuk, Dr. Odiong Akpan, Aniekan Ani-Ezekiel, Lawrence Akubue, Victoria Fabunmi, and many others.
This event symbolizes Akwa Ibom State’s commitment to fostering technological innovation, economic growth, and collaboration on both a national and global scale. As technology continues to reshape industries and economies, the Akwa Ibom Tech Week stands as a beacon of opportunity for innovators and tech enthusiasts in Africa and beyond.