Kaduna to host economic and investment summit in the Metaverse

Ahead of Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADINVEST) 7.0, the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) has disclosed via its website that the hybrid summit will also be held in the Metaverse.

"Exploring the potentials and value add of the Metaverse is key as we market Kaduna State and its comparative advantages to the world and a more immersive experience than just the normal Zoom webinar was needed," Khalil Nur Khalil, KADIPA's executive secretary told Benjamindada.com.

A local company in Kaduna, Greysoft Technologies is building the Metaverse that will host the KADINVEST 7.0. He further stated that the choice of the Metaverse is "in line with the Administration's drive to always be the trend-setting subnational in the country as far as innovation and technology are concerned, We’ll be the first Sub National in Nigerian history to host its Economic and Investment Summit on the Metaverse."

KADINVEST is an annual event organised by the Kaduna State Government to showcase strategic investment opportunities in Kaduna State and consolidate its existing investment gains to maximise the State's economic potential.

Launched in 2016, the summit has assisted in drawing investments worth over $4 billion into the state in sectors such as agriculture & food processing, mining, light manufacturing and services, according to KADIPA.

Also Read: Kaduna Technology City: a glimpse at the future of tech ecosystems in Africa

"Over the last 7 years, a number of big companies have established operations in Kaduna State such as Tomato Jos Nigeria Ltd., Dangote-Peugeot Automobile Assembly Plant, Olam, Africa Natural Resources & Mines Ltd., Flour Mills of Nigeria," the investment agency disclosed in a concept note [pdf].

"Part of our drive to cater to a more global audience of investors and to show how committed and serious the Administration of the Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is to break barriers and explore innovative technological tools of the 21st century to deliver public service in line with the drive towards a knowledge-based economy," Khalil added.

Kaduna is one of the Nigerian state governments that is actively setting the pace in technological advancement. In June 2022, a US robotics and drone company, Zipline launched its first Nigerian distribution centre in Kaduna State via a partnership with the state government.

Another notable development in the state is the Kaduna Technology City, a collaboration between CoLab, Talent City and the Kaduna State Government to create an enabling environment for tech talents and entrepreneurs in the state.

Aside from the aforementioned, the state runs the Click-on Kaduna Data Science Fellowship Programme aimed at strengthening the coordination in the collection and use of data for evidence-based decision-making.