Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.
StartupSouth, a leading ecosystem development and advocacy platform committed to growing the digital and creative economy across Nigeria’s emerging commercial cities, has announced plans to host its landmark 10th edition tagged #StartupSouthX in Owerri on September 30, 2025, and Port Harcourt on October 2–3, 2025.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Uche Aniche, Convener of StartupSouth and CEO of StartupSouth Enterprise Development Ltd/GTE, described the upcoming edition as the most ambitious yet, promising over 60 breakout sessions, 100 speakers, 100 state officials, and 5,000+ attendees, with an estimated 20 million people expected to be reached globally. 
Over the past decade, StartupSouth has established itself as a catalyst for growth, having supported thousands of founders to raise over $10 million in funding — including $500,000 directly invested through the South-South-East Angel Network. Notably, several startups incubated within the ecosystem have attracted significant global interest, including one team that raised over $3 million with Google as an investor, and another that secured $650,000 through Shell’s All On (now Renaissance Africa).
Mr. Aniche emphasized that Port Harcourt, Aba, Warri, and Owerri hold strong potential to become thriving tech hubs beyond Lagos. “Startups are meant to provide solutions to adverse economic climates,” he said, pointing to success stories like M-Pesa in Kenya and Nigeria’s own growing fintech sector. He also noted that Port Harcourt currently ranks 4th in Nigeria’s startup ecosystem rating.
The #StartupSouthX Conference will feature international and local thought leaders, including Chris Burry, Co-CEO of US Mac; Chinyere Nwoga, President of PHCCIMA; Aniedi Udo-Obong of Google, and many more. Global investors from the United States, South Africa, and beyond are also confirmed to attend, exploring opportunities to fund innovative solutions from the region.
Highlighting StartupSouth’s impact on policy, Mr. Aniche reminded stakeholders that the organization was instrumental in the advocacy that led to the Nigerian Startup Act (2022), which provides structures, incentives, and programs to support the growth of startups in Nigeria. Efforts are ongoing to ensure states, including Rivers State, domesticate the Act.
Chioma Ezenwafor, Media Coordinator of StartupSouth, described the 10th edition as a “homecoming” for ecosystem players, saying:
“StartupSouth-X is very important to us. It brings the ecosystem together — founders, creatives, funders, policymakers. It is a celebration of 10 years of impact and a launchpad for the next decade.”
The conference will take place on:
- Owerri: September 30, 2025 – Protea Hotel
- Port Harcourt: October 2–3, 2025 – 1 Stadium Road, by Novotel Hotel
Registration Information:
Secure your seat now via x.startupsouth.org/x#/buyTickets/selectTickets
For inquiries, call +234 805 161 0019
#StartUpSouthX
