Stakeholders move to digitalize S/East economy, launch innovation hub in Awka

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By Madu Obi

Policymakers, development partners, industry leaders and ecosystem builders have taken a bold initiative designed to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises in the South-East geopolitical zone, with the official launch of the Bridge4Scale Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) in Awka, Anambra State.

At the well - attended ceremony, the stakeholders said the exercise signalled a significant step in positioning the region as a digitally enabled manufacturing and enterprise corridor, capable of competing effectively within Nigeria and in the global markets.

The Bridge4Scale DIH is part of a broader framework supported through international cooperation efforts, including strong institutional alignment with the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Nigeria, and backed by the European Union’s commitment to advancing digital ecosystems in partner countries.

In her remarks at the event, the head of the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, Dr. Thuweba Diwani underscored the strategic importance of Digital Innovation Hubs in strengthening Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, and industrial clusters.

She highlighted DTC Nigeria’s ongoing work in building digital capacity, fostering innovation networks, supporting ecosystem enablers, and connecting local enterprises to continental and global opportunities.

According to her, Digital Innovation Hubs serve as critical bridges between policy, technology providers, and businesses, as well as ensuring that enterprises are not left behind in an increasingly digital global economy.

Diwani further emphasized that the European Union–supported framework behind the DIH model was designed to promote sustainable digital growth, knowledge exchange, and scalable innovation systems.

She noted that supporting DIHs across Nigeria is central to enabling inclusive digital transformation, particularly for SMEs that form the backbone of the economy.

In his remarks, one of the consortium partners, Ifedy Eze, described the DIH as a catalyst for structural transformation of the economy of the South-East.

He described Bridge4Scale as not merely a training platform, but a comprehensive innovation support system focused on helping light manufacturers, trade-driven enterprises, and SMEs to integrate digital tools into their core operations.

The goal, he said, is to improve productivity, enhance operational efficiency, expand market access, and increase revenue growth for businesses across the region.

Eze outlined key focus areas of the DIH, including digital maturity assessments for enterprises, capacity-building and workforce up-skilling, advisory services for technology adoption, market access support and ecosystem linkages, and policy engagement to strengthen the enabling environment.

He noted that the expected outcomes include improved digital readiness among SMEs, stronger value chains, enhanced export competitiveness, and the creation of sustainable jobs.

“Our ambition is to see South-East businesses move from analogue constraints to digital advantage. This hub is about enabling real enterprises to bridge the gap from where they are to where the global market expects them to be", Eze said.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the South-East Digital Maturity Report, a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the Bridge4Scale DIH.

The report maps the digital readiness of SMEs across the region, identifying critical gaps in technology adoption, skills, infrastructure, cyber security awareness, and digital strategy implementation. It also outlines opportunities for targeted interventions, partnerships, and policy reforms.

Among the dignitaries in attendance at the launch included Christian Udechukwu, Anambra State Commissioner for Industry; Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning; Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Managing Director, Anambra State ICT Agency; Dr Lawrence Ezeh, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Enugu State; Patrick Chukwuka, Managing Director, Anambra Small Business Agency; Engr. Chito Onwuzuluike, State Director, SMEDAN; Charles Emembolu, Chairman of the Board, Innovation Support Network; Prof Segun Sogbesan, Founder Onitsha Business School; and Chika Nwogu, Head of Strategy, Remita.