Kano State has advanced its digital transformation drive as the State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) secured $50,000 worth of cloud credits for outstanding startups during the HEAT Hackathon 2025.
The event, which took place at the E-Health Africa Auditorium in Kano, is part of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Digital Transformation Agenda aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment through technology.
In a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the hackathon brought together 36 teams and over 150 participants who developed solutions in the state’s priority HEAT sectors — Health, Education, Agriculture, and Transportation.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, KASITDA’s Director-General, Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, said the initiative underscored the state government’s commitment to positioning Kano as a regional hub for digital innovation and inclusion.
“This Hackathon is not a conclusion, but a commencement,” Dr. Muzakkari said. “Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is determined to make Kano a center of technological excellence where our youth can transform ideas into impact.”
The $50,000 cloud credit package, facilitated through a partnership with CloudPlexo, an Amazon AWS partner, will support ten top-performing startups to access cloud infrastructure for developing, testing, and scaling their innovations.
Other partners also contributed to the project. All for Tech provided premium VPN access to ensure secure development, while Enovate Lab offered mentorship on business models, pitch development, and investment readiness to help startups move from prototype to market.
Governor Yusuf described the hackathon’s success as a reflection of his administration’s investment in technology and innovation.
“Our goal is to unlock the potential of technology as a driver of jobs, education, and inclusive development,” the governor said. “This milestone achieved by KASITDA reflects our belief that innovation is the engine of Kano’s future.”