AUST, Bitnob Partner In Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) on Wednesday, February 19, hosted representatives from Bitnob, a leading fintech company as both organizations charts a mutual window of partnership in innovation and entrepreneurship. The event, which brought together students, faculty, and captains of industry, aimed at empowering young developers and entrepreneurs to leverage technology for solving Africa’s pressing challenges. In his welcome address, AUST President, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, identified the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset within universities. He highlighted the Silicon Valley’s model, where professors and students actively build startups to drive economic transformation. Onwualu, encouraged the students present to imbibe innovation and problem-solving startups, particularly in areas such as waste recycling, financial technology, and cross-border trade solutions. He stressed on the need for the establishment of more technology hubs and innovation centers, citing global examples from Dubai, South Korea, and the U.S. The AUST President envisaged a future where AUST becomes a hub for groundbreaking startups that address Africa’s unique challenges. Mr. Damilola Robert and Mr. Chinonso Amadi who represented Bitnob, shared insights into the opportunities and challenges within Africa’s tech ecosystem. They pointed out that traditional industries in Africa are bewitched with digital solutions as they struggle to produce at minimal speed, showcased how tech skills offer global opportunities beyond local markets as well as how young Africans could transit from consumers to creators by building innovative solutions for the continent. They threw more light on the infrastructure gaps, limited access to capital, and cross-border trade barriers as key challenges confronting innovators and entrepreneurs in Africa maintaining that African developers and entrepreneurs are best positioned to solve them. They described how successful African fintech solutions like M-Pesa, Paystack, Flutterwave, and Bitnob as proof that local innovations can drive global impacts. Bitnob’s initiative, aims to support young developers, provide funding, and create a network of tech leaders across Africa. The company is already fostering connections in Ghana and Kenya, with a goal of expanding across the continent. A key highlight of the event was the startup pitch session, where five AUST students presented their innovative business ideas: Attah-Olottah Eneojo presented startup Gavel, Adegbite David showcased startup Vinder, while Angel Chukwudi-Denis presented startup Green GO2. Others are Team Needify comprising of Muhammad Nasir Saleh, Aliyu Sarkiyo, Imran Murtala, Mujahid Ibrahim and finally Winni Adams Ihotu. These startups, unveiled solutions in fintech, the sustainability and community building by demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit within AUST. The event climaxed with a powerful message from Bitnob and AUST leaders that Africa is at a turning point with the digital economy fast growing but it needs builders, innovators, and problem solvers to shape its future. Mr. Kingsley Ogwudu, Austinspire Hub Manager, reiterated the sentiments shared and stated that “The Hub is for creating jobs, not just looking for jobs.” With initiatives like Bitnob’s Build with Bitnob, combined with AUST’s commitment to innovation, the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs are poised to make a lasting impact in the continent.