KASITDA Secures $50,000 in Cloud Credits for Startups at Inaugural HEAT HackathonLandmark event under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s digital agenda catalyzes innovation across Health, Education, Agriculture, and Transportation sectors
KANO, NIGERIA – October 11, 2025
In a bold move to accelerate Kano State’s digital transformation, the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) has secured $50,000 in cloud credits to support emerging tech startups—marking a significant milestone for innovation in Northern Nigeria.
The announcement came during the inaugural HEAT Hackathon 2025, held at the E-Health Africa Auditorium in Kano. Themed around the state’s four priority sectors—Health, Education, Agriculture, and Transportation (HEAT)—the hackathon convened over 150 innovators and 36 teams, each aiming to tackle local challenges with scalable, tech-driven solutions.
The event, organized under the forward-looking digital agenda of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, signals a new era of youth-driven technological advancement and economic diversification in Kano.
“This hackathon is not a conclusion, but a commencement,” said Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, Director-General/CEO of KASITDA. “Our promise to the brilliant innovators of Kano is that KASITDA will continue to provide unwavering support to build a thriving ecosystem that nurtures your ideas, supports your scale, and accelerates your growth. We are building the foundation for a Kano where technology creates tangible opportunities for all.”
Strategic Support for Startups
The $50,000 cloud credit package—secured through a strategic partnership with CloudPlexo, an Amazon AWS partner—will provide the top 10 performing startups with critical cloud infrastructure. This will enable them to efficiently develop, test, and scale their prototypes into fully operational products.
Beyond the cloud credits, several ecosystem partners stepped in to enhance support for the participating teams:
• All for Tech provided premium VPN access, ensuring secure and unrestricted development environments throughout the hackathon.
• Enovate Lab pledged to offer post-hackathon mentorship, focusing on pitch refinement and business model development to help teams transition from idea to enterprise.
Driving Innovation and Impact
HEAT Hackathon 2025 stands as the first-of-its-kind innovation event in Kano State, designed not only to identify technological talent but to empower it through tangible resources, partnerships, and government backing.
This initiative is a key component of the Kano State Digital Transformation Agenda (2025–2030), led by KASITDA, which aims to promote ICT-driven development, expand digital infrastructure, and foster innovation that directly benefits the lives of Kano citizens.
About KASITDA
The Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) is the central body driving the state’s digital transformation. Established by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the agency is committed to promoting inclusive digital growth by supporting local tech talent, strengthening ICT infrastructure, and enabling a conducive environment for innovation to flourish across all sectors.
