Solution Innovation District, Anambra State is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Ms. Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation and CEO of the Solution Innovation District (SID), to the Global Steering Committee of the 43rd International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) World Conference, holding in France, from 27-30 October 2026.
IASP is the world's foremost network of science parks, innovation districts and technology hubs. Established in 1984, it brings together over 350 member organisations across more than 70 countries, connecting governments, universities, research institutions and innovation ecosystems worldwide. As a member of the Global Steering Committee for the 43rd IASP World Conference, and its only African representative, Ms. Okoli will help shape the strategic direction and programme of one of the world's most influential innovation gatherings, joining an international team drawn from government, academia, industry and technology ecosystems globally.
This appointment is a significant international recognition of Anambra State's growing leadership in innovation and technology-driven development under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, whose vision of "Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere" continues to earn recognition on the global stage.Since 2023, SID has trained over 264,000 residents in digital skills, incubated and supported 111 startups with funding, and mobilised significant private sector and development partner investment. Its growing ecosystem now spans 20 innovation hubs, SID Tech Clubs in 306 secondary schools, and a grassroots network of Techies 4 Solution across 326 wards and communities statewide. On the infrastructure front, Government has secured a 13.7-hectare permanent site for the district, with its flagship innovation building now soon to be commissioned, laying the physical foundation for Anambra's vision of becoming Nigeria's leading innovation and technology hub, a Silicon Valley-style ecosystem for the South-East. Together, these milestones reflect the rising global visibility of Anambra as one of Africa's fastest-growing innovation ecosystems.
Ms. Okoli's appointment gives Anambra State a stronger voice in global conversations on the future of science parks, innovation districts and technology-led economic transformation. It also opens new channels for international partnerships, investment attraction and knowledge exchange, ahead of a Cannes conference that will convene many of the world's leading innovation ecosystem builders, a natural stage for showcasing SID's progress to a global audience.
This is both a personal achievement for Ms. Okoli and a proud moment for Anambra State and Nigeria, affirming that the state's innovation agenda is earning recognition among the world's leading innovation ecosystems.
Congratulations to Ms. Chinwe Okoli on this well-deserved appointment. We wish her every success as she represents Anambra State, Nigeria and Africa at the highest levels of the global innovation community.
https://www.iaspworldconference.com/conference/steering-committee/
Gift Nwigwe
Communications Unit
Solution Innovation District
Awka
Anambra State
Email: [email protected]
