On the basis of investments in digital infrastructure and reforms to ensure the growth of businesses in the state by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, Edo State is witnessing an exponential surge in the number of tech startups and a boom in entrepreneurial activities.
With the increase, the state is being situated to take the top spot for the African continent’s startup ecosystem, ready to offer its fair share to the $6.6 billion market.
The development is dependent on the government’s resolve to use technology to promote economic growth and development while capitalizing on the youth of the state’s population.
The Obaseki-led administration is pursuing nuanced policies to establish the state as Africa’s digital hub, ensuring a conducive environment for tech entrepreneurs to drive the state’s digital economy while enhancing internet access, providing digital infrastructure, and providing services for mobile devices.
In order to improve internet connectivity and provide the necessary support to grow the tech ecosystem, including technology hubs and parks in the state, the state government has installed at least 400km (250 miles) of fiber optic internet infrastructure in collaboration with top global tech giants, including MainOne, Facebook, and Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), among others.
In a recent report, The Guardian UK highlighted the influx of startups into the state as a result of these investments and stated that the government is dedicated to “creating business and technology centres, boosting internet access for entrepreneurs, tech workers, government agencies, and schools.”
According to Stephen Osawaru, a 38-year-old Benin City entrepreneur and business consultant, “Many online firms in education, agriculture, health, and finance that didn’t exist five years ago have now taken use of the connectivity in Edo,” according to the UK-based news site.
Osawaru, who collaborates with a network of more than 300 businesses in the state, continued, “The internet is better and less expensive than it was five years ago; internet penetration is expanding at an exponential rate and offering more opportunities.”
For her part, Funke Opeke, the founder of MainOne, referred to the Edo public-private partnerships as “a paradigm” for how internet access throughout Nigeria may be quickly expanded.
Obaseki asserts, “In Edo State, we are focused on 12 thematic areas, including reforming the structure of government, making government the facilitator in society, developing a leadership structure that is centered on citizens, and using technology and data to drive governance.
Additionally, we are making sure that the government places a priority on fostering sustainable economic growth and developing the physical and technological infrastructure we need to expand.
