IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has announced the commencement of incubation and acceleration programs at the newly built Ilorin Innovation Hub, ahead of the official commissioning of the complex later this year. This technology and innovation center, located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, is an initiative of the Kwara State Government, built and equipped in partnership with IHS Nigeria, who are also operationalizing the facility.
Covering a land area of over 13,000 sqm, with seating capacity for over 1,000 users, the Ilorin Innovation Hub is arguably the biggest technology space of its kind in West Africa and considered a masterpiece of functional space and design architecture. The facility has been designed and built as an ecosystem to help nurture creative talents, drive technological innovations, entrepreneurship, and overall economic growth across Kwara State in particular, and Nigeria in general. It is aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of investing in the digital economy to stimulate local industries, enhance competitiveness, increase productivity and provide millions of Nigerians with new skills, as well as long-term employment and wealth creation opportunities.
As part of their commitment, IHS Nigeria is working with two program managers, Co-creation Hub (CcHub) and Future Africa, to facilitate the rollout of programs aimed at empowering startups, businesses, and young innovators with the tools to succeed in the digital economy.
CcHub is a leading pan-African creative and innovation ecosystem enabler. They will design and implement sustainable models to help build capacity for innovation, support top innovators and startups in the region, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem, further helping attract and connect key players.
Future Africa is an innovation fund dedicated to supporting founders who are shaping Africa’s future. They will oversee the implementation of three key programs: Advanced Technical Leadership Training, Corporate Innovation and Accelerator Program; and Ecosystem Development and Mentorship Initiative.
Through the above programs, IHS Nigeria and the Kwara State Government are aiming to help stimulate the growth of the technological ecosystem in Kwara State and across Nigeria. Together, their vision is that the Ilorin Innovation Hub and its programs will help create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria, focusing on digital skills, artificial intelligence, agricultural technology, and energy innovation. This initiative also complements IHS Nigeria’s ongoing partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy on the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Learning Community, aimed at empowering three million Nigerians with critical digital skills.
In October 2024, the Hub invited young artists from Kwara State and across Nigeria to participate in an Arts Hackathon by submitting art works that resonate with the themes of innovation, creativity, and local community development. The aim was to showcase the unique relationship between creativity and science. Ten artists, whose works were selected from over 250 entries, each received a cash prize of ₦500,000 and will have their artwork displayed in the Innovation Hub.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, said: “I am extremely proud of IHS Nigeria’s role in developing the Ilorin Innovation Hub. This marks another critical milestone in IHS’ efforts to improve the lives of people in our operating communities by supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and overall wealth creation in Nigeria. As Nigeria’s backbone of digital possibilities, and an enabler of mobile connectivity, we believe this hub will create opportunities for millions of Nigerians with brilliant ideas looking for the facilities, training, expertise, mentorship and funding support to turn their ideas into viable businesses. Businesses that will contribute to the overall socioeconomic upliftment of Kwara State, and Nigeria more broadly. We are optimistic that this facility will support the rise of additional unicorns in Nigeria in multiple sectors, highlighting the depth and resilience of Nigeria’s talent to compete in the global market, akin to how IHS, as a company with roots in Nigeria, has already demonstrated.”
