In collaboration with the Network of Incubators and Innovators (NINE), the SIDE project has engaged entrepreneurs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions, utilizing selected innovation hubs to provide support. The aim is to address sustainable solutions that target economic data, risk capital, infrastructure, and advisory gaps within key sectors. By leveraging digital innovation, the project seeks to alleviate poverty and address challenges faced by SMEs in identified markets and sectors, particularly those affecting underserved populations.

The SIDE project is a 4-month acceleration program tailored for entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs developing sustainable, relevant, and scalable solutions to local challenges through digital innovation. Focused on various economic indicators aimed at poverty alleviation, the program is supporting entrepreneurs in developing sustainable and scalable solutions across key sectors such as health, education, food security, employment, and climate change.

The initiative began with the design and validation of a research-focused challenge brief in collaboration with Nigeria’s academic ecosystem. Subsequently, a call for applications was made, resulting in over 900 submissions. From these, 60 startups were selected to participate in the Masterclass phase, conducted in collaboration with partner hubs in Adamawa, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna, Kwara, and Osun.

Following the Masterclass and pitching sessions, 12 startups were chosen to participate in a 16-week acceleration program, culminating in a Demo Day scheduled for June 25, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This event aims to provide SIDE startups with a platform to showcase their progress, attract potential investors, receive valuable feedback, and network with industry experts, thereby facilitating the growth and scalability of their businesses.

Event Highlights:

The Demo Day will feature stakeholders from Nigeria’s vibrant tech ecosystem, providing them with an opportunity to witness impactful solutions and extend their support. Join us as we accelerate change and empower communities through digital solutions.

To register for the SIDE Demo day: visit https://sidenigeria.com/

Having any questions, further information or need to make inquiries, kindly email us at [email protected] or visit our website: https://sidenigeria.com/.

Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty Nigeria, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards organized by Nigerian CommunicationsWeek.

Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty Nigeria, (R) receiving Lifetime Achievement Award from Mr. Ayotunde Coker, MD Open Access Data Centre (l) at the 2024 Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards

For the past three decades, Nnamani has been a driving force in Nigeria’s digital space, particularly in interconnected services and data centers, which are now considered the backbone of the digital economy. Industry experts acknowledge his significant contributions.

“We are honored to present you with the Lifetime Achievement Award,” declared Mr. Ken Nwogbo, founder of Nigerian CommunicationsWeek, at the ceremony that highlights initiatives propelling Nigeria’s ICT sector on the global stage.

This award recognizes Nnamani’s unwavering commitment to providing innovative ICT solutions that fuel Nigeria’s flourishing digital economy. He was one of only four individuals chosen for this esteemed honor by a meticulous selection panel.

Under Nnamani’s leadership, Digital Realty (formerly Medallion Data Centres Limited) has become the most interconnected data center facility in West Africa. It boasts the region’s number one peering point, providing a crucial link for submarine cables, long-distance providers, fixed and mobile service providers, Over-the-Top (OTT) providers, internet exchanges, Value Added Service (VAS) providers, and global Tier 1 service providers.

Nnamani’s influence extends beyond Nigeria. Over the past 30 years, he has actively promoted the development of telecom infrastructure in several African nations, including Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, and Angola.

In the wake of the Lagos State Government’s engagement with stakeholders on the proposed Lagos Innovation Policy Bill, key players have expressed optimism and support on the potential of the bill on the state’s development, and by extension, the country’s.

L-R: Akeem Hassan, Technical Advsier to the Honorable Commisioner, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST); Omotayo Fisuyi, SSA on Innovation and Technology, Lagos; Prof Peter Bamkole, COO, Pan Atlantic University; Hon. Tunbosun Alake, Commisioner, MIST; Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, Managing Partner, DOA, all at the stakeholders engagement on the proposed Lagos Innovation Bill recently at the Eko Innovation Centre, Lagos.

Among the voices of endorsement is Beverly Agbakoba, Head of the Sport, Entertainment, and Technology Practice at Agbakoba Chambers. In an exclusive interview, Agbakoba expressed her excitement over the state government’s bold initiative, hailing it as a long-overdue step that will drive Lagos into the 21st century.  “I am so excited to see that Lagos State has taken the initiative to formulate an innovation bill,” Agbakoba remarked, “It took me by surprise; I only found out yesterday, and I am very happy to see we are finally beginning to step into the 21st century.”

Agbakoba’s endorsement carries weight, as her legal practice covers the sports, entertainment, and technology – industries that stand to benefit greatly from the innovative digital infrastructure and regulatory framework envisioned by the proposed bill.

“Having a bill is a very good step in the right direction. It means we are going to lay a blueprint for how we communicate and how we set up digital infrastructure, physical infrastructure, and how we can make this state the real economy hub of not just Nigeria but Africa because we are one of the most populous nations on earth. But how are we enabling our people for the 21st century?”

She highlighted the current challenges faced by the state, including poor electricity supply and inadequate road networks, emphasizing the need for the Innovation Bill to pave the way for comprehensive solutions.

Beyond mere rhetoric, Agbakoba called for tangible action and sustained engagement, urging the formation of stakeholder committees and consultation mechanisms to ensure the innovation ecosystem remains at the forefront of the bill’s development and implementation.

“From this event today, let there be some active follow-ups,” she implored. “We want to hear about the stakeholders’ committees that should be set up, the consultation committee to engage the ecosystem. One thing we said today is there must be ongoing engagement and good communication.”

She encouraged other states in Nigeria to emulate the visionary leadership exhibited by the Lagos State Government, recognizing the potential ripple effect that such an initiative could have on the nation’s technological and economic landscape.

When asked about the specific elements she would like to see enshrined in the bill, Agbakoba’s priorities were clear: robust public-private partnership frameworks, clearly defined collaborative mechanisms, and a steadfast commitment to ongoing administration and maintenance of the envisioned digital infrastructure.

Agbakoba’s vision for a fully digitized Lagos, where hospitals, roads, and public schools are seamlessly integrated into a state-wide network, providing universal internet access to every child, underlined the potential of the Innovation Bill. However, she cautioned that realizing this vision hinges on a commitment to maintaining and sustaining the new systems.

“I really want to see the will to maintain the new system,” Agbakoba stated emphatically. “I can’t wait for Lagos to be completely wired, all hospitals, roads, public schools where every child has access to the internet.”

The event, chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatubosun Alake, was an avenue for co-creation and collaboration, a move that has been variously been described as Lagos State Government’s commitment to an inclusive and participatory approach to policymaking. Among the stakeholders present at the occasion are Adaora Ikenze – Director, Public Policy, Meta; Prof. Peter Bankole – COO, Pan Atlantic University and LASRIC Member; Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho – Founder, Futuresoft; LASRIC and Alex-Adedipe Adeleke – DOA Law, among others.

In his opening remarks, the honourable commissioner emphasized the important role of Lagos State in driving innovation investment in Nigeria and indeed, Africa, noting that approximately 70 to 80 percent of innovation funding flows into the state. He stressed the urgency of establishing a robust policy framework that encourages continuous innovation investment and drives Lagos to the forefront of the digital revolution. “This is because it can encourage or discourage continuous innovation investment in the state. Today’s engagement is in line with driving an innovation policy framework,” he said.

Victor Afolabi, Chief Executive Officer of the Eko Innovation Centre, in his welcome address, emphasized the significance of the stakeholder engagement as a co-creation event, where collective deliberation would shape the regulatory incentives and create an inclusive innovation ecosystem. He commended the commissioner’s vision and commitment to advancing innovation in Lagos State, describing the state as the innovation engine room of the country and a globally recognized hub for innovation.

The highly engaging and robust stakeholder engagement witnessed active participation from government agencies, the private sector, development agencies, and other key stakeholders. The event featured five breakout sessions, where participants made actionable recommendations and proffered realistic solutions to contribute to the framework of the proposed Lagos Innovation Bill.