Kano State has taken another bold step in its digital transformation journey as the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) secured $50,000 worth of cloud credits for top-performing startups at the HEAT Hackathon 2025.

The groundbreaking event — the first of its kind in Kano’s history — was held under the Digital Transformation Agenda of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, demonstrating his administration’s commitment to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem that empowers youth and drives economic growth through technology.

The hackathon brought together 36 teams of innovators and over 150 participants to develop practical, technology-driven solutions for the state’s priority HEAT sectors — Health, Education, Agriculture, and Transportation.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Director-General/CEO of KASITDA, Dr Bashir Abdu Muzakkari described the initiative as a reflection of the Governor’s vision to make Kano a regional leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.

“His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is determined to make Kano a centre of technological excellence where our youth can transform ideas into impact. KASITDA will continue to provide unwavering support to innovators to scale their solutions and create opportunities for all,” he said.

The $50,000 cloud credit package, facilitated through a strategic partnership with CloudPlexo, an Amazon AWS partner, will enable the ten top-performing startups to access world-class cloud infrastructure to develop, test, and scale their innovations.

Additional support for the winners came from other key partners. All for Tech provided premium VPN access for secure and unrestricted development, while Enovate Lab offered post-hackathon mentorship, including guidance on business model development, pitch refinement, and investment readiness to help startups move from prototype to market.

Governor Yusuf lauded the success of the HEAT Hackathon 2025, describing it as a testament to his administration’s strategic investment in technology and innovation.

He reaffirmed his government’s resolve to continue empowering young innovators, strengthening ICT infrastructure, and positioning Kano as Northern Nigeria’s digital innovation hub.

“Our goal is to unlock the potential of technology as a driver of jobs, education, and inclusive development,” the Governor said. “This milestone achieved by KASITDA reflects our shared belief that innovation is the engine of Kano’s future.”