The Anambra State Government has taken a significant step towards making the state Africa’s Silicon Valley by launching the 1 Million Anambra Digital Tribe (1MADT) initiative, aimed at creating a smart megacity through the Solution Innovation District (SID).
The initiative seeks to make digital education accessible by offering complimentary, top-notch digital skills training to more than a million Anambra residents and indigenes.
The SID Academy, a Learning Management System (LMS), is central to the initiative, allowing participants to learn at their convenience, anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace.
Designed to be inclusive and transformative, 1MADT offers 32 beginner to advanced courses in high-demand digital fields such as Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, SEO optimization, web design, data analysis, graphic design, digital marketing, and more, with flexible training durations ranging from four to 12 weeks.
Speaking on the development, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, said no prior experience or qualifications are required.
According to her, it is accessible to everyone – from students and job seekers to professionals and entrepreneurs.
She noted that by equipping Anambra’s workforce with future-ready skills, 1MADT is set to drive job creation, inspire innovation, fuel entrepreneurship, enhance SME productivity, and position the state as a magnet for global technology investments.
The initiative, she stated, supports Soludo’s broader vision of economic transformation through digital empowerment and innovation-driven development.
“Through the leadership of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and the innovation-driven agenda of the Solution Innovation District, Anambra is not just preparing for the future, it is boldly creating it,” she said.
“Mr. Governor promised to upskill 10,000 persons annually but has already surpassed that number. With a new target of one million, the goal is to eradicate digital illiteracy and unlock the potential of our people to compete favourably with technology.
“Mr. Governor is developing 13.7 hectares as our Silicon Valley and investing in the skill sets required to compete globally. This program is for all Ndi Anambra – and it is totally free to beneficiaries. There are even additional incentives such as laptops and smartphones to celebrate excellence,” she said.
Okoli said SID is also deploying SID mini hubs/partner centres, which are tech-enabled learning centers strategically located in schools and communities across the state.
“These hubs are outfitted with computers, internet access, projectors, and teleconferencing tools to ensure equitable access to digital resources, especially in underserved areas.
“To scale and sustain the impact of 1MADT, the Anambra State Government invites corporate organizations, development partners, ICT hubs, educational institutions, philanthropists, and stakeholders to partner in this transformative project to expand the reach of digital education and accelerate Anambra’s emergence as Africa’s digital powerhouse.”
