Ukpa Ewa | 7th June 2025
AWKA — Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is set to host and deliver the keynote address at SMFEST Awka 2025, a major digital and innovation event scheduled to hold this July in the state capital . This was disclosed during a press briefing at the Solution Innovation District (SID) Centre in Awka.
Addressing Journalists, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation and team lead of the Solution Innovation District, Ms Chinwe Okoli revealed that SID will serve as the headline sponsor of SMFEST 2025. According to her, the partnership was a strategic one that aligns with the core mission of SID and Governor Soludo broader vision for Anambra digital transformation. She stated that the SMFEST mission resonates deeply with the goals of SID which aims to build a digitally empowered tribe of young innovators, creators and problem solvers in Anambra State.
She further noted that SMFEST offers an opportunity to nurture talents, support youth driven innovation and build a community of digital professionals explaining that SID partnership demonstrates government commitment to fostering a thriving digital ecosystem in the region.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Lead Organiser of SMFEST, Mr. Ifeanyi Ochije who announced SID as the headline sponsor expressed his excitement about the collaboration. He emphasized that SMFEST was born out of the need to galvanize young people in the South East with digital skills and innovative thinking. Ochije explained that the event, which started in 2021 in Owerri, has now grown into a regionally significant project and this year, Awka will host the only edition of SMFEST in the South East.
He described the 2025 edition of the event as a platform to awaken the innovative spirit of Anambra youths and expose them to new opportunities within the digital economy. He noted that this year theme, "Disrupt and Evolve," reflects the goal of encouraging disruptive innovation among young people. According to him, the event will feature industry leaders including CEO of Pamtech Group Engr. Ndubisi Chidomere, CEO of Blord Group Linus Williams, Head of Growth Sterling Bank Obinna Ukachukwu and CEO of Cafe One Kelechi Nwaozuzu, among others.
In addition to the main conference, the event will include a free one-week digital and social media bootcamp from June 22 to June 29, 2025. This virtual training aims to equip 2,000 Anambra youths with relevant skills in graphic design using Canva, video editing with CapCut, social media advertising, content monetization, AI tools and remote work strategies targeted at empowering youths with practical knowledge that will help them generate income and contribute to solving local and global challenges.
While on July 4, 2025, a Founder Mixer will be held in the state to bring together ecosystem leaders and startup founders from across the South East to foster networking and collaboration. The main conference event is scheduled for July 5, 2025 and will take place at the Hollywood Event Center, Awka. Governor Soludo will host the event and deliver the keynote address, highlighting the importance of youth innovation and digital development in Anambra.
Organizers have encouraged interested participants to register via the event website, www.smfest.org/awka. They also urged young people across the state to take advantage of the free training and networking opportunities to equip themselves with digital skills that align with the ongoing transformation being driven by the Soludo administration.
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