Nigeria has made history by hosting its first Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), cementing its position as Africa’s fastest-rising digital hub and a global player in innovation and technology.
The international exhibition, inaugurated in Abuja and continuing in Lagos, marks a bold step forward for Nigeria after more than a decade of participation in GITEX Dubai, Marrakech, and Berlin. This homegrown edition is a testament to the country’s commitment to digital transformation, bringing together policymakers, investors, startups, and global technology giants to shape Africa’s future economy.
Speaking at the Lagos session, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed that the state attracted over $6 billion in direct foreign investment into its startup ecosystem between 2019 and 2024. He said Lagos now accounts for more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s total tech inflows and is home to most of Africa’s unicorns.
“We’re not just an economic powerhouse, we are Africa’s innovation capital,” Sanwo-Olu declared, highlighting transformative projects such as hyperscale data centres, submarine cables, citywide fibre connectivity, and the Blue Line Rail System, powered by the youth-designed Cowry Card that integrates payment across rail, buses, taxis, and waterways.
The governor stressed that governance in Lagos is now digital, inclusive, and data-driven, citing the Lagos Digital Service Platform that allows residents to access health, transportation, and civic services with a single click. He also reaffirmed the state’s support for startups through a Science and Research Fund that has provided ₦50–₦80 million in seed grants.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, outlined Nigeria’s bold vision for a connected future. He noted that the ICT sector has grown from less than 5 percent of GDP a decade ago to consistently contributing 16–18 percent today, with projections to hit 21 percent by 2027.
“Nigeria is not just a market, we are a major innovation and creative country,” Tijani said, pointing to Lagos as Africa’s heartbeat for both technology and creativity. He cited Nollywood and Afrobeats as billion-dollar industries now intersecting with digital technology, powering a new wave of cultural exports.
The Minister unveiled ongoing initiatives, including Project BRIDGE, which will roll out 90,000km of fibre nationwide, the 3MTT skills programme, landmark digital economy and e-governance legislation, and AI Collective, a national effort to build real-world solutions using artificial intelligence.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said GITEX Nigeria is more than an event, it is a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready to lead the future economy. He credited government policy and the resilience of innovators for Nigeria producing five of Africa’s unicorns.
“With the right opportunities, Nigeria can compete with any city globally. We are ready to build solutions in agriculture, healthcare, security, and culture, solutions that will drive 10x productivity,” he said.
Ms. Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN, praised Nigeria as a global beacon of innovation and entrepreneurial grit. “If your product survives Lagos, it can thrive anywhere in the world,” she said, describing Lagos as a “mega high-speed test bed” for technology.
She noted that Nigeria has leapfrogged ahead of cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and São Paulo as a top global startup hub, with over 650 startups, 200 investors, and 40 countries represented at the exhibition.
Together, Sanwo-Olu, Tijani, and Inuwa painted a compelling vision of Nigeria as Africa’s leading innovation hub. With billions in tech investment, an ambitious digital economy roadmap, and a thriving creative industry, the country is not just preparing for the future, it is actively shaping it.
Read Also: GITEX Nigeria: Tijani Says Artificial Intelligence is Key to Unlocking Africa’s Productivity
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