The government of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dhahran Techno Valley Holding Company (DTVC), a Saudi Arabia–based science and technology hub, to deepen collaboration in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The agreement, facilitated through the state’s Solution Innovation District (SID), was signed during a high-level innovation engagement in Beijing, according to a statement on Saturday, by Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor.
The partnership aims to accelerate innovation-driven economic growth while strengthening technology collaboration between Africa and the Middle East.
Under the MoU, SID and DTVC will work together on several strategic initiatives, including joint startup accelerator programmes, venture-building initiatives and co-investment frameworks targeting high-potential startups and emerging technologies.
The collaboration will also promote knowledge exchange, research and development partnerships, and the commercialisation of technological innovations.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Solution Innovation District and Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, described the agreement as a significant step for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
“This collaboration represents a major milestone for Anambra State and Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem,” Okoli said. “By partnering with DTVC, we are creating opportunities for startups, researchers and industry players to co-develop solutions that address global challenges while promoting inclusive economic growth.”
She added that international partnerships are critical to enabling innovators to scale solutions and access global markets.
Key areas of cooperation under the partnership include the development of startup accelerator programmes to support early-stage technology companies, venture-building initiatives designed to commercialise research ideas, and frameworks for co-investment in transformative technologies.
Both organisations also plan to facilitate knowledge sharing through the exchange of expertise and best practices, while establishing networking platforms connecting startups, investors, researchers and industry leaders.
The partnership will further include the co-hosting of international innovation events such as summits, workshops and business-to-business engagements aimed at strengthening global technology networks.
Chief Executive Officer of Dhahran Techno Valley Holding Company, Mohammed Abusharifah, said the collaboration aligns with the organisation’s mission to accelerate the journey of ideas from laboratories to commercial markets.
“Our partnership with SID will help increase the flow of talent, expertise and investment between our two innovation hubs,” Abusharifah said. “It reinforces our commitment to bridging world-class research with entrepreneurial innovation.”
The Solution Innovation District is a flagship initiative of the Anambra State Government designed to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation.
The district supports startups, researchers and industry stakeholders through incubation programmes, technology partnerships and research collaboration.