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By Merit Ibe
Ennovate Lab, in collaboration with other partners, including Ogbomoso Chamber of Commerce, has concluded plans to hold a Digital Economy Summit (ODES) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Chief Executive Officer of Ennovate Lab, Jesudamilare Adesegun-David, in a statement, said the summit, which will hold on November 17, would be first of-its-kind in Ogbomoso.
Adesegun-David described the summit as the largest and most strategic gathering of stakeholders in Ogbomoso, which aims to bring together various economic actors to foster a thriving, sustainable and expanding economy in Ogbomoso and shape the economic landscape of the city.
“According to a World Bank report, the global digital economy equals 15.5 per cent of the worldwide gross domestic product. In Africa alone, e-commerce, a digital economy component, is valued at about $115 billion, with an expectation of topping $712 billion by 2050 if everything goes on as projected. This enormous opportunity is why ODES is crucial to the future growth of Ogbomoso at this moment,” he said.
The Ennovate Lab CEO said the summit is open to residents of Ogbomoso and its environs, as well as key economic stakeholders. According to him, participants at the summit will include, among others, leaders from across academia, business, Ogbomoso’s five local governments, specialised research institutes and individuals from Oke-Ogun (including Iseyin, Saki and Igbeti). Resource persons from Ogbomoso, Nigeria and worldwide will bring their expertise to the table as they share through keynotes, panel sessions and lightning talks on the varied strands of the digital economy.
Speakers expected at the summit include Matt Dunne of Centre on Rural Innovation, USA; Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs; Remi Odunsi, CEO, Eridan Group; Uche Aniche, Founder, Startup South, Adebayo Akande, Special Assistant to Oyo State governor on ICT and E-Governance, Adedapo Ojo and Chairman, Centre for Emerging Skills Technology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
