Dge4Scale Digital Innovation Hub Launched in Awka as Stakeholders Rally Behind South-East’s Digital Drive

By Tony Okafor, Awka

Policymakers, development partners, industry leaders and ecosystem builders converged on Awka, Anambra State, on Friday, October 18, 2025, for the official launch of the Bridge4Scale Digital Innovation Hub (DIH), an initiative designed to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises across Nigeria’s South-East.

The International Convention Centre, Awka, hosted the event, which stakeholders described as a critical milestone in repositioning the region as a digitally enabled manufacturing and enterprise corridor capable of competing effectively within Nigeria and in global markets.

The Bridge4Scale DIH forms part of a broader framework of Digital Innovation Hubs supported through international cooperation and aligned with the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, with backing from the European Union.

Delivering her remarks at the launch, Dr. Thuweba Diwani, Head of the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, underscored the strategic importance of digital innovation in strengthening micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and industrial clusters.

She noted that the Centre is focused on building digital capacity, fostering innovation networks, supporting ecosystem enablers and connecting local enterprises to continental and global opportunities.

According to her, Digital Innovation Hubs are vital bridges linking policy, technology providers and businesses, ensuring that enterprises are not left behind in an increasingly digital global economy.

She further emphasised that the European Union-supported framework behind the DIH model is designed to promote sustainable digital growth, knowledge exchange and scalable innovation systems, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.

In his remarks, consortium partner Ifedy Eze described Bridge4Scale as a catalyst for structural transformation in the South-East.

He explained that the hub goes beyond training, offering a comprehensive innovation support system to help light manufacturers, trade-driven enterprises and MSMEs integrate digital tools into their operations.

He said the initiative aims to improve productivity, enhance operational efficiency, expand market access and boost revenue growth across the region.

Eze outlined key focus areas, including digital maturity assessments, workforce upskilling, technology adoption advisory, market access support and ecosystem linkages, as well as policy engagement to strengthen the enabling environment.

He added that the expected outcomes include improved digital readiness, stronger value chains, enhanced export competitiveness and the creation of sustainable jobs.

According to him, the ambition is to enable South-East businesses to move from analogue constraints to digital advantage and bridge the gap between current enterprise capabilities and global market expectations.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the South-East Digital Maturity Report, a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by Bridge4Scale.

The report mapped the digital readiness of MSMEs across the region, identifying gaps in technology adoption, skills, infrastructure, cybersecurity awareness and digital strategy implementation, while also outlining opportunities for targeted interventions, partnerships and policy reforms.

Stakeholders described the report as a data-driven foundation for structured digital transformation, providing policymakers and ecosystem actors with actionable insights to guide investments and support programmes.

The launch also featured the official rollout of the DIH’s maiden Business Digitalisation Programme, designed to provide hands-on support to selected enterprises.

The programme will help participating businesses integrate digital tools into production, operations, accounting, supply chain management, marketing and customer engagement.

Beneficiaries are expected to receive diagnostics, tailored digital roadmaps, expert advisory support and ecosystem connections aimed at delivering measurable transformation.

Commending the initiative, Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, described it as timely and visionary, noting that innovation and creativity are deeply embedded in the South-East’s entrepreneurial culture.

He said digital transformation offers a pathway to unlock greater economic value from that creativity and strengthen Nigeria’s broader economic narrative.

The event drew strong representation from both public and private sectors, demonstrating cross-sectoral support for the mission to strengthen enterprise development and economic growth.

Among dignitaries present were Christian Udechukwu, Commissioner for Industry; Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning; Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency; Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Enugu State; Patrick Chukwuka, Managing Director of the Anambra Small Business Agency; Chito Onwuzuluike, State Director of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria; Charles Emembolu, Chairman of the Innovation Support Network; Segun Sogbesan, Founder of the Onitsha Business School; and Chika Nwogu, Head of Strategy at Remita.

Their presence was widely interpreted as a demonstration of institutional backing for the initiative.

Observers said the launch represents more than the inauguration of a physical facility, marking instead the beginning of a coordinated effort to digitally reposition the South-East’s industrial and entrepreneurial base.

With support from international partners, including the European Union and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit through the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, as well as collaboration with federal and state agencies, Bridge4Scale is expected to serve as a strategic anchor for digital innovation in the region.

As Nigeria continues its transition toward a knowledge-driven economy, initiatives such as Bridge4Scale are projected to play a defining role in ensuring that MSMEs, particularly in historically entrepreneurial regions like the South-East, are not just participants in the digital economy but competitive leaders.

Stakeholders said the message from Awka was clear: the future of enterprise in the South-East is digital, and Bridge4Scale has stepped forward to help build it.