As part of opportunity for creating partnership between Nordic and Nigerian actors to innovate for change, the Nordic Embassies in Nigeria –Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark are collaborating on the second edition of Nordic Days in Nigeria, themed: Nordic Nigeria Connect – Innovating for
Change.
The Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to give an opening remark at the two day event slated for 22nd and 23rd May, 2019.
The efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy, job creation, rural and inclusive development requires innovative solutions which makes the power of collaboration and co-
creation key.
Nordic-Nigeria Connect seeks to combine the ideas and solutions from the Nordic countries and Nigeria, with participation from companies, innovation hubs and financing instruments during the two-day event.
Best innovative practices in Nigeria and Nordic countries will be shared on Day one of the event, while thematic sessions will focus on Innovation in Learning and Transportation.
Day two will focus on sharing experiences within the
theme: Innovation in the Energy Sector, both in oil and gas as well as in renewable energy, and discussions around Access to Finance from Nordic financing solutions.
With over 30 Nordic companies from several sectors, including education, transport and energy, participating in
the event in Lagos, world-class Nordic innovation culture will meet the Lagos thriving entrepreneurial scene with the largest number of tech hubs in Africa.
During the past decades, the Nordic countries have developed a world-class innovation scene, in everything from industrial robots, education tools, transport solutions and energy efficiency to leadership and business models.
With a total population of less than 30 million, the track record of the
four countries is impressive. Finland has given birth to the world’s best (and free) education system.
Sweden is home to innovations such as Bluetooth, Skype and Spotify, and its capital Stockholm is currently producing the highest number of so-called ‘unicorns’ (or billion-dollar tech companies) per capita after Silicon Valley.
Norway is the home to one of the world’s largest funds – The Government
Pension Fund Global (Oil Fund) – with stakes in more than 9 000 companies worldwide, including the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Samsung. Norway is also innovating technology for oceans industries with Equinor in the lead.
Denmark is at the forefront with innovations in the food, agriculture and
processing sector with companies like Arla Foods/Dano.
As part of Nordic-Nigeria Connect, the Nordic Embassies will also host evening programs showcasing innovation within fashion and music.
The Finnish fashion designer Marita Huurinainen and the Swedish music artistes Sabina Ddumba and Kim Cesarion will collaborate with Nigerian talents in open sessions on Wednesday and Thursday evening respectively.
Target groups and beneficiaries of this initiative are Nordic and Nigerian companies, investors, government representatives and other interested
organisations.
The evening sessions are open to the
public and will also take place at Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Report by: Theresa Igata
