The Block Hive team and MTN have partnered to provide over 5,000 free Internet routers to support techies, students, remote workers, entrepreneurs and digital creators in the South-East to accelerate tech-innovation in the region.
The Block Hive is a co-working and tech hub in Nsukka, Enugu State established by Ginakev Labs.
Speaking during a meeting with MTN officials on Wednesday in Enugu, the Founder of Ginakev Labs, Mr. Kevin Okoye, said that the initiative is expected to make the router devices available to young people without the usual upfront cost of purchase.
Okoye said that the discussion centred on the rapid growth of the technology ecosystem in the South-East and the need for greater private-sector support for young people building on technology.
During the engagement, Okoye shared some of the work being done through Ginakev Digital Academy (GIDA) and The Block Hive to support the region’s tech community and uplift young tech-innovators work in the region.
He disclosed that GIDA has since 2020 trained over 10,000 youths in digital skills and blockchain technology, with majority of the trainees getting fully-funded scholarships from Ginakev Foundation.
Okoye also stressed on some of the practical challenges young people face when trying to participate in the digital economy, particularly access to reliable electricity, workspace and internet infrastructure.
He said that following the collaboration, the initiative would leverage The Block Hive’s existing tech community and Ginakev Labs’ network to reach young people across different locations in South-East.
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Okoye appreciated MTN’s willingness to support the South-East Blockchain & Games Week 2026, and the free router initiative as it would significantly benefit techies and prospective tech-innovative youths.
Responding, MTN’s South-East Regional Representative, Mr. Callima Inino, expressed the company’s willingness to support initiatives that create opportunities for youths and strengthen the technology ecosystem in the region.
Inino said that MTN would make selected router devices available to young people through an empowerment-focused approach, at no cost to the customers.
According to him, each router – from 4G to 5G – costs up to N60,000, but will be given free, and beneficiaries will only be required to subscribe to the applicable MTN data plan attached to their selected router packages.
