Imo Digital City Ignites Nigeria's Startup Shift from Lagos to Global Stage

Steve Adleman, co-founder of CarbonEx-a climate finance and sustainability startup operating in Nigeria-has joined forces with the U.S. Market Access Centre (US-MAC) and the Imo State government to expand founder development programs beyond Lagos. This collaboration aims to nurture tech-driven, impact-focused entrepreneurs in Nigeria's South-East region, where the Imo Digital City is emerging as a transformative hub for digital innovation.

The partnership, announced in March 2025, aligns with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma's vision to position the state as Nigeria's premier technology and digital economy hub. Central to this initiative is the Imo Digital City, a $16.6 billion project featuring high-tech infrastructure, innovation hubs, and co-working spaces. The state has already trained 40,000 youths through the Skill-Up Imo program, equipping them with skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This effort is part of a broader strategy to create 300,000 jobs via digital economy programs by 2025 .

Adleman's involvement highlights the focus on sustainability and global market connectivity. CarbonEx, which leverages technology to link local climate projects with international carbon finance, exemplifies the type of ventures the program seeks to scale. "We don't just want to create jobs; we want to create those who will create jobs," Governor Uzodimma emphasized during the Nigerian Computer Society's 4th Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit, underscoring the administration's commitment to entrepreneurship .

The initiative also includes strategic partnerships with global tech giants such as Microsoft, Zinox Technologies, Cisco, and the European Union Digital SME Alliance. These alliances provide training, infrastructure, and funding to accelerate startup growth. Additionally, the Imo Digital City is set to host the African Founders Development Program Hackathon, a platform designed to transform ideas into scalable startups. The hackathon, open to founders across Africa, reflects a shift from local to global ambitions .

While Lagos remains Nigeria's dominant startup ecosystem-ranking 76th globally in StartupBlink's 2025 index-Imo State's efforts signal a diversification of innovation hubs. Lagos's ecosystem is 11.8 times larger than Abuja's, but its growth rate has slowed to 14.7% annually. In contrast, Abuja saw a 50.3% growth, climbing to 399th globally. The Imo Digital City's focus on entrepreneurship and infrastructure, including fiber-optic connectivity across 27 local government areas, aims to bridge regional disparities .

Adleman's collaboration with US-MAC underscores the importance of structured support for founders beyond Lagos. "This is about creating globally competitive startups that are scalable and sustainable," said Dr. Chimezie Amadi, Imo's Commissioner for Digital Economy. The state's upcoming "My Imo App" and automated land information system further demonstrate its commitment to digital governance and transparency .

: [Steve Adelman's Post - LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nexuspartners_honored-and-thrilled-to-be-part-of-this-important-activity-7305318500946911232-tH6U)

: [Digital City springs up in Imo as Governor Uzodimma activates ... - BBC](https://www.bbcng.com/2025/04/digital-city-springs-up-in-imo-as.html)

: [From Owerri to the World: How the Imo Digital City Is - LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-owerri-world-how-imo-digital-city-quietly-emerging-amadi-bkc6c)