The Chief Executive Officer of the Solution Innovation District (SID) and Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, has been appointed to the Global Steering Committee of the 43rd International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) World Conference scheduled to hold in France from October 27 to 30, 2026.
 
Her appointment makes her the only African representative on the committee responsible for shaping the strategic direction and programme of the prestigious global innovation gathering.
 
Founded in 1984, IASP is regarded as the world’s leading network of science parks, innovation districts and technology hubs, with more than 350 member organisations spread across over 70 countries.
 
The association connects governments, universities, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems to drive innovation-led development across the globe.
 
The appointment is being viewed as a major international endorsement of Anambra State’s growing influence in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
 
According to SID, Okoli will work alongside global experts drawn from government, academia, industry and technology ecosystems to help shape discussions and policy directions at one of the world’s most influential innovation conferences.
 
The development also highlights the growing global profile of the Solution Innovation District, which has trained more than 264,000 residents in digital skills since its establishment and attracted substantial investments from private sector players and development partners.

Observers say the appointment strengthens Anambra State’s presence in international conversations on science parks, innovation districts and technology-driven economic transformation, while creating fresh opportunities for global partnerships, investment inflows and knowledge exchange.