By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
A Made-in-Nigeria technology firm, Zang Global, has unveiled a range of locally produced tech products including USB cables, mobile chargers, and renewable energy prototypes in Jos, Plateau State, as experts renewed calls for the establishment of a ₦500 million Innovation Fund to support young inventors and emerging enterprises.
The event, held at the Usiju World Event Centre, attracted entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovation advocates who described the initiative as a milestone in Nigeria’s push to promote local production and youth-driven industrialization.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zang Global, Zang Luka, said the launch represented years of experimentation, learning, and persistence aimed at proving that Nigerian youths can build world-class technology products when given the opportunity. He explained that Zang Global started from a small workshop in Jos with limited equipment and few technicians but a deep belief in the potential of local innovation.
“When I first began this journey, I asked myself a simple question: how can I build something that captures imagination? My first project was a dream recorder – a 3D device that could record dreams while you sleep and replay them when you wake up. That didn’t succeed because I lacked the tools and resources, but that failure became the seed that gave birth to something bigger — the power bank project — and that journey has led us to where we are today.
“We began in a very small workspace with limited tools but unlimited faith. Today, we are proudly launching Made-in-Nigeria USB cables and mobile phone chargers built with local innovation, local minds, and global standards. This achievement is not just about technology; it’s about possibility and changing the narrative. It proves that young people in Plateau State and across Nigeria can build solutions that compete globally,” Zang stated.
He noted that the products were designed using recyclable materials and locally sourced components where possible, in line with the company’s sustainability drive. The firm’s long-term strategy, Vision 2029, aims to create 15,000 jobs across Africa by training youths and displaced persons in electronic waste recycling and renewable energy.
“Our mission goes beyond producing chargers and cables. We want to build a movement that promotes sustainable innovation, environmental protection, and youth empowerment. Every product we recycle, every cable we produce, and every young person we train brings us one step closer to that vision,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Executive Officer of Jos Business School, Chief Ezekiel Gomos, commended Zang Global for translating a local idea into a viable enterprise and challenged the Plateau State Government to create an Innovation Fund to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
He said: “The Federal Government introduced the MSME National Competition to encourage innovation among young people, and Plateau has won that competition five times. But to sustain such achievements, we must build stronger structures that fund and protect innovation.
“I want to challenge the Plateau State Government today: consider establishing an Innovation Fund to support young people with creative ideas. In one state, young innovators were given ₦500 million to develop their ideas, and that initiative increased both revenue and youth engagement.”
Gomos urged the government to ensure that innovations are protected through intellectual property registration and supported through grants, mentorship, and partnerships with private investors.
Plateau State Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Cletus Bako Shurkuk, who represented the state government, commended the young innovators and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to making the state a hub for technological advancement.
“When I assumed office, I realized that we needed to build stronger platforms that allow young innovators to showcase what they can do and to learn from one another. What we are doing here today with Zang Global is part of that vision — creating a space where ideas can grow and where innovators can find support, mentorship, and exposure,” he emphasized.
Shurkuk added that the ministry was exploring partnerships with universities, research institutions, and local industries to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among young people.
Industry observers at the event said Zang Global’s initiative was proof that Nigerian youths possess the creativity and skill to build competitive products if supported by the right policies and infrastructure. They, however, noted that challenges such as inconsistent power supply, access to credit, and lack of industrial-scale equipment continue to hinder growth in the local manufacturing sector.
The launch also featured an exhibition of locally developed tech accessories and renewable energy prototypes created by young innovators trained under Zang Global’s renewable energy and e-waste recycling programme. Participants said such innovations could help reduce dependence on imported electronics and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the emerging green economy.
