Port Harcourt, the vibrant oil city of Nigeria’s South-South, came alive earlier this month as it hosted the tenth edition of #StartupSouth, one of Africa’s most consistent and regionally focused innovation ecosystem events.

Themed “Auctus: Shaping the Next Decade of Business Innovation, Culture & Capital”, the milestone edition reflected both celebration and recalibration, a moment for reflection, strategy, and renewed ambition for the region’s digital economy.

Held from October 2–3, 2025, at 1 Stadium Road, by Novotel, Port Harcourt, the two-day event gathered founders, investors, policymakers, academics, and technology enthusiasts. The sessions spanned from insightful keynotes and fireside chats to deal rooms, startup pitches, and policy dialogues.

For Uche Aniche, the convener of #StartupSouth, this tenth edition was both a milestone and a signal for the future. 

“We have helped catalyse the ecosystem across the South-South and South-East,” he said in an exclusive chat. “Today, you can see lots of people very passionate and doing different things, communities, founders, angel groups, and that’s what we always wanted.”

From local movement to global platform

When the first edition of #StartupSouth took place in 2015, the tech landscape in Nigeria’s southern region was barely taking shape. Fast forward by a decade, and the conversation has shifted from possibility to scaling. Port Harcourt, Uyo, Enugu, and Benin are now active hubs with founders building scalable ventures and investors starting to pay attention.

Aniche reflected on this transformation: “People now see that it is viable to come to the region to do deals, to build businesses, and to train founders. From Enugu to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Calabar, we’re grateful that we have been able to achieve that.”

But as the movement grows, new challenges emerge. Funding remains a major bottleneck. Despite growing enthusiasm, the region still captures a small fraction of national venture funding.

To address this, #StartupSouth is building decentralised angel communities across states, starting with the Imo Business Angel Network. “The idea is to get more people involved in angel investing,” Aniche said. “We’re supporting others to set up similar networks across the region.”

Beyond capital, founder education and talent development are now top priorities. The organisation is collaborating with partners to deepen startup training, promote digital skills, and prepare young founders for global competition.

Also read: #StartupSouth: Stakeholders discuss southern Nigeria’s path to boundless connectivity

Auctus: Redefining the next decade

This year’s theme, Auctus, Latin for “growth” or “expansion”, captured the mood of the gathering. The event explored how emerging technologies, policy frameworks, and cultural innovation can drive Africa’s next decade of growth.

The opening session set the tone. After welcome remarks from Kalada Apiafi, Chair of the #StartupSouth Board, and Dr Chinyere Nwoga, President of PHCCIMA, Aniche unveiled the South-South-East Startup Ecosystem and Digital Jobs Report, a data-driven look at the region’s progress and potential.

Keynotes that followed explored critical themes: AI, connectivity, innovation policy, and geopolitics.

Prof. Silva Opuala-Charles, President of Garden City Premier Business School, challenged founders to think globally while solving regional problems. Ikechukwu Mamah of Equinix West Africa spoke on “Shortening the Path to Boundless Connectivity”, while Aniedi Udo-Obong from Google explored how AI could unlock new growth opportunities.

Panels on the first day included discussions about infrastructure, regulation, and policy, from “Scaling Digital Infrastructure” to “Cross-Border Incorporation and the Future of the Nigerian Startup Act.”

Another panel tackled how to design resilient startup ecosystems by balancing policy, capital, and talent.

Day Two brought a cultural and creative twist. Sessions on immersive storytelling, creative capital, and the future of work highlighted the intersection between innovation and Africa’s creative economy.

The “Media for Social Good” film screening by Afrochives Studio closed the event with a reminder that storytelling remains an engine of influence and inspiration.

Tracking the ecosystem: Data as the new fuel

For Aniche, the proposed release of the new ecosystem report marks one of the most gratifying milestones of the past decade. “Data has always been one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges,” he said.

“We’ve now been able to track the progress of the ecosystem year-on-year, how many startups are emerging, who’s funding them, what sectors they play in, and where the digital skills are concentrated.”

This data-driven approach is designed to guide investors and policymakers in making informed decisions. It also strengthens the region’s visibility on the national innovation map. “We’re tracking not just startups,” he added, “but the kind of talent available and where they are based.”

#StartupSouth is evolving beyond borders

As #StartupSouth steps into its second decade, Aniche’s vision is clear: evolution without dilution. “The goal doesn’t change; it’s still about attracting talent and capital into the South-South and South-East,” he emphasised. “But we’re evolving into a global platform.”

He hinted at the possibility of international events in Lagos, San Francisco, Paris, and London, all aimed at creating attention for Africa’s secondary cities, places often overlooked in global innovation narratives.

To sustain this expansion, #StartupSouth has established a board and governance structure, marking its transition from a founder-led initiative to an institution. “We’re now thinking about StartupSouth beyond me,” Aniche said. “It’s becoming a movement that will outlive individuals.”

From its grassroots beginnings to becoming one of the most respected innovation convenings in the region, #StartupSouth has shaped how Southern Nigeria sees itself in the digital economy. It has given voice to local founders, brought investors into new territories, and created a sense of community where there was once fragmentation.

As the event closed with startup pitches, awards, and goodwill messages, one thing was clear: the South is no longer waiting for inclusion; it is building its own narrative.

In the words of Aniche, “Our goal is simple: to keep catalysing growth, building connections, and shaping the next decade of African innovation.”