The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday launched a regional tech startup competition in Enugu, aimed at identifying the most promising innovators from Nigeria?s southeast geopolitical zone ahead of the GITEX Nigeria 2025 Startup Festival.

Young tech entrepreneurs from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states gathered for the GITEX Nigeria 2025 Regional Roadshow, a prelude to the national startup event slated for Abuja from September 1 to 4.

Speaking at the Enugu roadshow, the State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, hailed the initiati?e as a strategic move to spotlight emerging digital talent and empower youth in the region.

?This is more than a competition. It?s a pipeline to national relevance and global competitiveness,? Ezeh said. ?Our youths must seize this moment to become part of the GITEX Nigeria 2025 story, and possibly GITEX Global in Dubai.?

Dr. Nkem Momah, Head of NITDA?s south east zonal office, said the programme seeks to discover startups building scalable, problem-solving solutions in sectors such as HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, AI, EdTech, ClimateTech, and CreativeTech.

?Our goal is to identify and empower bold innovators whose solutions can reshape Nigeria?s digital economy,? Momah said.

Winners from the Southeast pitch competition will earn a sponsored slot to exhibit at the Abuja Startup Festival, where they?ll pitch to a panel of tech investors, industry experts, government officials, and the media. They?ll also be considered for global exposure at GITEX Global in Dubai?one of the world?s biggest technology trade shows.

GITEX Nigeria is modelled after Dubai?s Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), which has served as a global innovation hub since 1981. (The Nation)

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