By Duke Ezeh
Owerri, the capital of Imo State, played host to the South East World class Digital Summit with the theme: ‘Digitalization and E-Commerce: Powering Global Economic Growth’.
The Landmark Event Centre in Owerri buzzed with optimism Thursday 2nd October, 2025 as policymakers, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs gathered to explore how digital transformation can redefine the South East’s economic landscape, offering new opportunities for growth and development.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Reviving the South East Economy Through Digital Innovation: Imo State’s Blueprint,” Dr. Chimezie Amadi, the Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, painted a vivid picture of the region’s potential.
He acknowledged the South East’s historical role as an economic powerhouse, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s GDP through trade, education, and services. However, challenges like industrial decline, youth unemployment, and migration have dimmed its shine. “This is our economic gap—but also our greatest opportunity,” Dr. Amadi declared.
The Commissioner emphasized that digitalization offers a fast track to economic recovery, enabling the South East region to leapfrog traditional development stages. By fostering new industries, enhancing existing ones, and connecting local businesses to global markets, digital tools can unlock unprecedented growth, he said.
He identified Business Process Outsourcing, Fintech, Agritech, and Creative Industries as key sectors poised for digital-driven success.
Dr. Amadi narrated how Imo State, under Governor Hope Uzodimma’s leadership, is setting a bold example. The state’s SkillUp Imo Project has already empowered 40,000 youths with ICT skills, equipping them to thrive in the digital economy. Beyond skills development, Imo is focusing on expanding fibre optic networks, boosting Internet access, and supporting tech startups.
The state is also poised to integrate digital literacy into its education system, establishing tech hubs and incubators, digitizing public services, and connecting farmers to digital markets to enhance agricultural productivity. “Imo State is not just adapting to the digital age; we are shaping it,” Dr. Amadi stated, highlighting the state’s commitment to building a robust digital ecosystem.
These efforts are already yielding results, with thousands of young people gaining the tools to compete globally and local businesses beginning to tap into digital markets.
The summit served as a clarion call for the South East to embrace digital transformation as a pathway to prosperity. By following Imo State’s blueprint, the region can reclaim its status as an economic powerhouse, driven by innovation, connectivity, and opportunity. As Dr. Amadi concluded, “The future of the South East is digital—and that future starts now.”
