On the 13th of May 2024, local and international stakeholders convened to discuss the Ekiti Investment Guide and how to distribute and utilize the guide to draw potential investors to the opportunities available in Ekiti State.
Ekiti State is known to be the bane for Innovation, emerging as a destination for innovators and investors in Nigeria. The state’s talent pipeline, educational infrastructure, and untapped markets have attracted local and foreign support and opportunities into its innovation ecosystem, one such supporter of its rich innovativeness is Innovate UK.
Innovate UK through its Global Alliance Africa under their Place-based intervention launched the Ekiti Investment Guide highlighting the untapped investment opportunities in Ekiti state and strategically attracting investors into its ecosystem. The launch event, organised in partnership with the Ekiti State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Digital Economy, was attended by the delegation from Innovate UK led by Mr Nee-Joo Teh, Head of Global Alliance, and Honorable Commissioner ‘Seun Fakuade. The event also saw participation from various notable figures, including representatives from partner organisations, the local Innovation Advisory Group, local innovation hubs, innovators, and members of the diaspora.
To view and read more about the investment opportunities in Ekiti State, download the Ekiti Investment Guide here: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/news/ekiti-investment-guide/
As the UK’s national innovation agency, Innovate UK partnered with Briter Bridges and developed the Ekiti Investment Guide. According to the Nigeria Country Lead, Global Alliance Africa, Joshua Adedeji, the Investment Guide is a key resource material that showcases the state’s innovation potential. He stated: ‘’What we want is a cordial relationship between the local ecosystem in Ekiti State and potential investors. We want to ensure everyone works together from the universities to the innovators, investors and every critical partner in the ecosystem. Aside from this, we would also like to see practical actions of investment into early-stage businesses and see some of the young innovators and businesses in Ekiti State thriving with the support they receive from investors.’’
The state’s economic transformation is driven by factors such as job creation, inclusive governance, and the establishment of a promising business environment.
Located in the southwestern region of Nigeria, Ekiti State is known for numerous notable things worth mentioning. Though considered one of Nigeria’s smallest states and ranked 31st out of 36 in terms of land area and 29th out of 36 in terms of population in Nigeria. This does not negate the fact that the state has an impressive youth literacy rate where 99% of boys and 96.7% of girls aged 15-24 are literate, establishing the state as the second highest in literacy level in Nigeria, little wonder there has been a high rise of high-ranking professionals and professors from the State.
Innovate UK’s initiatives in Ekiti have unlocked significant innovation and economic development potential, setting the stage for a promising future. Through their ongoing collaboration, Ekiti State and Innovate UK are pursuing innovative projects to achieve long-term prosperity and sustainability. Both parties are dedicated to advancing progress and creating meaningful positive change in the region.
Global Alliance Africa is a six-year project funded by UK International Development through Innovate UK and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and you can visit their website: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/programme/africa/ to read and learn more about them.
