When global policymakers and innovators gathered in China for the 2025 UN-Habitat Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development, Nigeria’s tech ecosystem had a bold voice in the room — and it belonged to Uzezi Ernest, founder and CEO of AccompliTech Ltd.
The week-long programme, hosted by China’s International Cooperation Center (ICC) in collaboration with UN-Habitat, brought together urban planners, government officials, and technology experts to reimagine cities of the future. Ernest was one of four Nigerians selected, alongside Joseph Akinwoleola, Faithful Ojebiyi, and Ayokunle Adebawo — and notably, the only woman in the delegation.
Representing the intersection of technology, education, and urban policy, Ernest presented Nigeria’s report on tech-driven urban development, drawing from experiences in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. She championed the role of startups in tackling city challenges, explaining how AccompliTech equips underserved youth with digital skills in data analysis, product design, AI literacy, and entrepreneurship.
“Africa’s urban future depends on our ability to merge innovation with inclusivity,” she told delegates, urging governments, private innovators, and international agencies to work more closely to accelerate youth-driven urban transformation.
Participants toured cutting-edge projects in Beijing and Fuzhou — from prefabricated housing at the Golden Power House Park, to AI-powered traffic systems, to skyscraper construction driven by robotics. For Ernest, these weren’t just impressive showpieces; they were “tangible insights” that could be adapted to Africa’s housing, mobility, and sustainability needs.
Beyond the technical discussions, Ernest’s presence carried symbolic weight for women in tech and governance. In panel sessions, she called for inclusive innovation ecosystems that give women and young people equal seats in decision-making. Her advocacy and community work earned her the Chinese name Aijun (爱军) — “one who loves and protects.”
On returning to Nigeria, Ernest plans to channel the lessons from China into scaling AccompliTech’s reach, with a renewed focus on digital upskilling, housing innovation, and urban entrepreneurship. Her goal: position Nigerian youth not just as beneficiaries of urban growth, but as active architects of the continent’s rapidly changing cities.
