The Imo State Government in Nigeria has entered into a strategic partnership with the European Digital SME Alliance, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an innovative digital skills development initiative. This collaboration aims to enhance Imo State’s digital economy and aligns with the Africa-European Union Partnership’s digital development objectives.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
- Freelancing Programme: Connecting European companies with skilled digital professionals from Imo State, fostering international collaboration and career growth.
- Mentorship Initiative: Linking European businesses with young talents in Imo State, providing guidance on digital careers and market insights.
- Digital Skills Training: Implementing a “train the trainer” approach to establish a digital skills training hub, enhancing local expertise.
- Focus on Female Empowerment: Special emphasis on empowering the local female workforce and promoting gender equality in the tech sector.
- Socio-Economic Impact: Expected to improve living conditions and create new job opportunities in Imo State.
Dr. Oliver Grün, President of DIGITAL SME, stated, “This partnership opens up opportunities for European digital SMEs to gain insights into West African tech market dynamics and access local talent. Cooperation between SMEs from like-minded regions is essential for building an inclusive and innovative digital economy.”
Dr. Chimezie Amadi, Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government in Imo State, added, “This collaborative partnership will foster innovation and entrepreneurship while creating new market opportunities for startups and innovators in Imo State.”
The initiative aims to:
- Facilitate knowledge transfer between European and Nigerian businesses.
- Support internationalisation efforts for both parties.
- Equip young people with relevant digital skills for the global digital economy.
- Create a sustainable model for digital skills development in Imo State.
This partnership marks a significant step in Digital SME’s commitment to international collaboration and establishing productive dialogues with public and private stakeholders. As the largest network of ICT small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe, Digital SME brings valuable expertise to this initiative.
The Imo State Government will play a crucial role in disseminating the acquired knowledge through local digital skills training programmes, ensuring widespread impact across the state.
This collaboration between Imo State and the European Digital SME Alliance represents a milestone in cross-continental digital cooperation, promising to create lasting benefits for both Nigerian and European digital ecosystems.