By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Laoye has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Ogbomoso into ‘Africa’s Silicon Valley.’
This is as the monarch outlined a 25-year vision to position the ancient city as a leading hub for digital economic transformation.
The monarch also at the event revealed plans for the Ogbomoso International Economy Summit which is scheduled for April 2025, saying the summit is designed to attract investors and showcase the city’s economic potential.
Speaking at the Ogbomoso Digital Economy Summit, themed “Financing and Deploying Resources for Digital Transformation,” the monarch emphasized the city’s potential for global relevance in the digital space.
The summit, which held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso started on Wednesday and continued on Thursday.
It brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for digital transformation of the ancient town.
The stakeholders at the event include: traditional rulers, government officials, tech entrepreneurs, and academics, all united in the vision of making Ogbomoso a global economic force.
Speaking, Oba Laoye harped on the need to integrate technology into various sectors, including sports to enhance Ogbomoso’s economic growth.
He said the structured 25-year development plan is aimed at “empowering industries, generating employment, improving residents’ quality of life, unlocking the city’s potential in agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, tourism, and commerce.”
The summit’s panel discussions featured Mr. Iyin Aboyeji, founding partner at Future Africa, who stressed the need for a strong startup ecosystem and investment.
He advised the government to focus on policy and infrastructure rather than direct business funding, highlighting the importance of creating local business success stories to inspire more entrepreneurs.
Another panelist, Dr. Adeyemi Aderinto identified talent as a natural resource, stating that less-developed cities like Ogbomoso are the next frontier for economic growth.
He noted that as major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are becoming saturated, emerging cities must seize the opportunity to attract businesses and talent.
With a population of 1.2 million, Aboyeji expressed confidence that Ogbomoso could achieve its goal of becoming a leading economic city within the next decade, provided it focuses on demographic potential over geographical limitations.
Speaking earlier, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade emphasized the importance of collaboration between traditional rulers and the government, assuring that the government will not shy away from partnering relevant stakeholders in the interest of development of the state.
