Not sure if @nonso2 picked Ekiti as a random example, but this is exactly why we are promoting Ekiti Knowledge Zone as a Special Economic Zone for the digital economy. Let me bring my sewing machine out briefly. https://twitter.com/Rotankwot/status/1254666503699472384

The first thing to do is improve broadband penetration. COVID19 permitting, we should have coverage in all 16 LGAs by the end of next year, driven by a change in the Right of Way tariff structure.

The second thing is talent. We have 15,000 graduates coming out of Ekiti annually, plus maybe 5x that number from Ondo, Osun and Kwara. That’s the talent pool we want to create jobs for, if we can equip them with the right skills.

It helps if you can plan a space around universities for a knowledge zone. We’ve got ~1,700ha reserved, within a quadrangle that has 4 universities and a polytechnic. It means you can plan the zone out, and not have to fit it into a fully built area.

Of course, the zone will need power and transport. EKZ will have an IPP and access roads within the state. With the FG’s work on roads and rail, Ado Ekiti won’t be more than 3 hours from Lagos, by road. If you fly, maybe 30 minutes.

What’s the overall vision. Business process outsourcing, back office operations for large tech companies, distance learning campuses for int’l universities, boarding facilities for secondary schools, research centres, startups etc.

But also mixed use, so accommodation can be built within the zone. When all this is done, we will approach @TradeInvestNG for SEZ status, so the companies operating in the zone get all the fiscal benefits to encourage job creation.

We are enhancing our PPP laws to give investors comfort; developing laws to protect mortgages and drive real estate dev; and the RoW fiscal regime to deliver broadband at scale. In case you were wondering, it will cost $30/40 million to land this project. The end.

I’m going to update this thread with a few things that happened since I started tweeting about EKZ. It’s meant to help connect the dots when you read about certain elements of the plan.

This visit is the start of a formal application for FTZ status. I think we’ve met most of the requirements, and our application will be submitted in Q4 2020. https://twitter.com/kfayemi/status/1302189619795107841

First, you create a market for technology companies to operate in the jurisdiction. That’s what we started with @maxdotng here. https://twitter.com/ao1379/status/1299359764632215555

Today, we announced a partnership with @MicrosoftNG to train and certify at least 2,000 residents through the Global Skilling Initiative. It’s part of a broader talent development plan. https://twitter.com/microsoftng/status/1305451230769172480