Interswitch has sponsored the maiden edition of the Kano Startup Weekend, which took place from December 13 to 14, 2025.
Information made available to Nigeria Startup News on Tuesday stated that the maiden edition, titled “Igniting Innovation & Empowering Entrepreneurs”, played a pivotal role in supporting innovation and early-stage entrepreneurship in Kano State.
Through mentorship sessions, networking forums, and active engagement during the startup pitch competition, the company provided practical insights, exposure to developer-friendly platforms, and guidance on building scalable digital businesses for participating founders.
Speaking on the initiative, the chief information officer of Interswitch, Patrick Okebu, emphasised the strategic importance of supporting regional innovation ecosystems across Nigeria.
He said Kano Startup Weekend reflects the depth of entrepreneurial potential emerging from Northern Nigeria, adding that innovation thrives when founders have access to the right platforms, mentorship, and enabling infrastructure.
“Our support for this event aligns with our commitment to empowering startups with payment and digital commerce solutions that help them build confidently, scale sustainably, and compete effectively in today’s economy,” Okebu stated.
Beyond individual mentorship and pitch sessions, KSW 2025 created opportunities for meaningful collaboration between the public sector, private organisations, investors, and the wider startup community.
The interactions during the event demonstrated how strong partnerships can accelerate innovation, support inclusive economic growth, and open new pathways for young entrepreneurs in the region.
Interswitch noted that initiatives such as KSW are critical to expanding economic opportunity, nurturing local talent, and strengthening Nigeria’s broader digital economy over the long term.
KSW 2025 is the flagship entrepreneurship and innovation event hosted by the Kano State government through the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA).
Aligned with the Kano State Digital Transformation Agenda (2025–2030), the event aimed to ignite Kano’s startup ecosystem.
