Process to boost internet connectivity begins in Anambra

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By Madu Obi

THE process aimed at boosting internet connectivity across Anambra State has begun, with the laying of fibre ducks in the various communities.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr Fred Agbata, who spoke at the launch of Kodex Africa, emphasized the need for people in the tech ecosystem to embrace the programme, which he described as key for success in the technology space.

“The agency’s commitment to fostering the culture of collaboration is undoubted, which is why we would continually explore interesting areas of collaboration with as many persons as possible,” Agbata added.

He encouraged more hubs to sign up with the Innovation Support Network, ISN, so that they could collectively build a thriving tech ecosystem in Anambra State.

In his speech, the Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA, Mr. Mark Okoye stressed the need for identification of the challenges within the ecosystem, as well as finding ways to surmount them to be able to optimize the myriad of opportunities therein.

Okoye said: “We must continue to collaboratively push out positive narratives about us with one voice so that soonest, all the negative stories will fizzle out.

“We are at the beginning of something great, and we owe it to ourselves to create a thriving, more productive and sustainable ecosystem."

“We also need to evolve new funding models to further support start ups within the ecosystem, so that by next year, we can launch a crowd funding platform for start ups in Anambra State”.

Also speaking, the Director of Partnerships with the Innovation Support Network, ISN, and the founder of ROA hub in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mr, Charles Emembolu expressed excitement about the launch and the prospects it holds for the tech ecosystem in Anambra State.

Emembolu also encouraged more hubs to join ISN in other to expand their networks and experience new and faster ways of achieving great feats within the ecosystem.

"In today’s digital world, you need to have an open mind and imbibe the spirit of collaboration in other to grow; there are lots of tech skills but most people find it hard selling them out there, hence the need to come together” he stated.