By Chinedu Chukwuemelie
The Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation and Chief Executive Officer of the Solution Innovation District (SID), Ms. Chinwe Okoli, has been appointed the only African member of the Global Steering Committee for the 43rd International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) World Conference.
The conference is scheduled to hold from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30, 2026, in Cannes and Sophia Antipolis, France.
IASP is a global network of science parks and innovation districts, with more than 350 member organisations across over 70 countries dedicated to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and technology driven eQdevelopment.
Okoli’s appointment underscores Anambra State’s growing presence in the global innovation ecosystem and aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere.”
Since its establishment in 2023, SID has trained more than 264,000 Anambra residents in digital skills and secured strategic partnerships with private sector organisations to advance innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.
The appointment is expected to strengthen Anambra’s participation in global conversations on innovation districts while creating opportunities for international collaboration, investment and knowledge exchange.
A statement by the Solution Innovation District described the appointment as a major milestone for Anambra’s innovation agenda and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to positioning itself as a leading technology and innovation hub in Africa.
Chinedu Chukwuemelie is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
