AI TECHNOLOGY: GITEX BERTHS IN NIGERIA .... Communication Minister, Sanwo-Olu, NITDA DG Ecstatic
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On Wednesday in Lagos, the State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed that the state has attracted over $6 billion in direct foreign investment into its tech startup sector between 2019 and 2024. This milestone cements Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading innovation hub and signals a new era of opportunity for global investors.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu who disclosed this while speaking at GITEX Nigeria, noted that Lagos’ transformation is no longer aspirational, it is a living reality. With hyperscale data centres, submarine cables, and a city-wide fibre connectivity grid, Lagos and in extension Nigeria is undergoing a digital revolution.
While maintaining that Lagos State has emerged as one of the world’s most vibrant tech ecosystems, he emphasised that Lagos now accounts for over 70% of Nigeria’s total tech inflows, and more than 70% of Africa’s unicorns have passed through the city.
“We’re not just an economic powerhouse, we are Africa’s innovation capital,” he said.
He credited visionary leadership and long-term planning for this transformation, referencing the early adoption of Oracle database systems in Lagos two decades ago—an initiative led by then-Governor and current President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “That foundation is still powering our systems today,” he noted.
The Governor spotlighted the Blue Line rail system, which marks its two-year anniversary this week. With over five million passengers served and zero downtime, the electric rail system is powered by the Cowry Card—a unified payment solution designed by young Lagosians aged 27 to 28.
“This card works across rail, waterways, buses, and taxis,” he said. “It’s a single settlement system, built by our youth, and it’s working beautifully.”
Sanwo-Olu stated that at the heart of Lagos’ transformation is a belief that governance must be digital, inclusive, and data-driven. Through the Lagos Digital Service Platform, citizens now access healthcare, transportation, and civic services with a single click.
“We are building a government where policy decisions respond to real-time insights, a government where no Lagosian is left behind.” He stated.
While calling for collaboration among partners, the Governor reiterated that GITEX Nigeria has drawn global tech giants like Cisco, IBM, and MTN alongside African startups, creating a space for cross-border collaboration, adding that, “The future economy should not be dictated by geography,” it must be co-created through partnerships.”
He said; “To support emerging talent, Lagos has maintained a Science and Research Fund for over six years, offering seed grants of ₦50–₦80 million to promising startups. Some of these startups have gone on to design the very exhibition spaces we’re standing in today.”
He acknowledged that not every startup will become a Flutterwave or an Andela, but emphasised the importance of encouragement and opportunity. “If you can dream it, you can build it, and you have a government that will support you.”
While inviting attendees to explore the Lagos Pavilion, showcasing innovations in smart mobility, health tech, green energy, and digital identity, the governor encouraged them to visit the Landmark startup showcase, where thousands of young innovators are presenting solutions that could shape Africa’s digital future.
Earlier, in his remarks, Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani unveiled a bold vision for a digitally connected Nigeria. He noted that the ICT sector has grown from less than 5% to over 16% of GDP, with projections to reach 21% by 2027.
He said Nigeria is fast becoming one of the world’s most promising investment destinations in digital innovation and creative enterprise.
According to the Bosun Tijani, "Nigeria is a digitally connected nation, and globally competitive because it is powered by infrastructure, talent, and creativity. It is not just a market, we are a major innovation and creative country. Lagos, in particular, is where the energy of Africa collides with the ambition of the future,” he said.
Dr. Tijani highlighted that Nigeria’s transformation into Africa’s largest telecommunications market is not just by subscriber numbers, but by foreign direct investment and Gross Domestic Product’s contribution. “The ICT sector has grown from less than 5% of GDP a decade ago to consistently contributing 16–18% today,” he said. “By 2027, our target is 21%, and we are right on track.”
He noted that Nigeria’s stock exchange now lists technology companies as its top performers, surpassing even the biggest oil firms. “This shift underscores one truth: the digital economy is not just about apps—it’s about productivity gains that transform entire sectors, from agriculture to governance.”
Beyond technology, the Minister emphasised Lagos’s role as Africa’s creative heartbeat. “Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world. Afrobeats, born on the streets of Lagos, now fills stadiums from London to New York. Our creative economy is projected to generate over $15 billion in value in the coming years,” he said.
He described the fusion of creativity and technology as a defining feature of Nigeria’s innovation landscape. “This is where code meets culture. Where startups and studios tell a bigger story of economic transformation.”
The Minister affirmed that to support this transformation, the Ministry is deploying a 90,000-kilometer fiber backbone through its flagship Project BRIDGE, connecting every state, local government, and ward in Nigeria. He added; “We are building the largest and most coordinated digital skills program in the world through our 3MTT initiative.” He noted that the program is aimed at preparing youth for global tech jobs.
He also announced the upcoming launch of landmark legislation, the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bills that is designed to guarantee trust, security, and accountability across Nigeria’s digital landscape.
While disclosing that that the government has launched AI Collective, a national initiative where Nigerian companies are building real-world solutions using artificial intelligence, the minster revealed that over 55 academic research projects have been funded in partnership with NITDA, and that new private-sector support schemes will be unveiled on October 1st.
“We are calling on our diaspora—some of the brightest Nigerian minds shaping global tech—to bring their capital, expertise, and networks back home,” he said. “This is how we build not just projects, but a resilient, innovative, and globally connected ecosystem.”
Tijani concluded with a call to action for startups, corporates, academics, and global partners. “Government investment alone cannot deliver the transformation we seek. Ours is to build the foundation—through fiber networks, talent pipelines, and enabling legislation. The opportunity and responsibility now rest with all of us.”
“As we open GITEX Nigeria today,” he said, “I invite you to build on our investment. Let us accelerate the development of the digital economy—not only for Nigeria, but for Africa and the world.
In his remarks, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE emphasised that Nigeria is ready to lead the future economy. While asserting that Nigeria’s strength lies in its resilience and innovation, he noted that with deliberate policy and a thriving tech ecosystem, Nigeria is poised to deliver solutions across agriculture, healthcare, and security.
Inuwa who described GITEX as more than a conference said it is a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready to lead in the future economy. “For too long, the future economy has felt like science fiction. We talked about it as a distant, abstract concept. From the Kodak moment to the Uber moment, we were always at the receiving end. But today, right here in Lagos, that future is a tangible reality,” he maintained.
He traced the journey back to Nigeria’s cashless policy introduced over a decade ago, which catalysed digital transformation in the banking sector and opened doors for fintech innovation. “That policy didn’t just digitalise banking, it created gaps that startups filled with solutions. Today, Lagos is not just Nigeria’s commercial hub; it is the capital of Africa’s tech ecosystem. It’s a factory of Unicorns.”
"Of the eight or nine unicorns in Africa, five originated from Nigeria. This feat could be attributed to deliberate government policy and the indomitable spirit of Nigerian innovators. We don’t build with infrastructure, we build with resilience because we have no other option.”
The DG further highlighted that Nigeria’s potential extends far beyond fintech. “We have seen how Angela proved to the world that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunities are not. With the right opportunities, Nigeria can compete with any city or nation globally. We are ready to build solutions in agriculture, healthcare, security, and culture—solutions that will drive 10x productivity and efficiency,” he maintained.
He declared that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has laid out eight strategic priority areas that serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda. With the seventh one- Accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation is a direct endorsement of Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions. It aligns seamlessly with the goals of GITEX Nigeria and the broader tech ecosystem flourishing in Lagos.
He reiterated the unwavering support the administration of President Tinubu has demonstrated for the digital economy sector to thrive adding that his administration has empowered institutions like NITDA to drive innovation, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a global tech contender. “Through policy alignment, infrastructure investment, and startup-friendly reforms, the government is laying a solid foundation for digital transformation. He declared.
“This support is not just strategic it is catalytic. By embedding digital innovation into national development plans, Tinubu’s administration is ensuring that Nigeria doesn’t just participate in the global tech race but leads it."
In her powerful address that electrified the opening of GITEX Nigeria the Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre and Chief Executive Officer of KAOUN, Ms. Trixie LohMirmand, hailed Nigeria as a global beacon of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial grit that scales not through capital, but through necessity-driven ingenuity.
She remarked that Nigeria does not follow the same rules as Silicon Valley or other developed economies. She opined that, “While other economies innovate because they want to, here, startups innovate because they must. It is survival. And that is why they scale faster and endure longer.”
According to her, the event, which marked Nigeria’s debut as host of the global tech showcase drew over 650 startups, 200 investors, and participants from more than 40 countries noting It was a historic moment for the country’s digital economy, and a testament to the growing influence of Lagos as a tech epicenter.
LohMirmand emphasised that Lagos is not just a city it is a “mega high-speed test bed” for technology.” “If your product survives Lagos, it can thrive anywhere in the world,” she said, underscoring the city’s unique position as a proving ground for global tech solutions.
She also praised the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for its unwavering support in bringing GITEX to Nigeria. “From day one, NITDA has been a staunch partner. Their commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and building infrastructure is not just institutional—it’s inspirational.”
The speech resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom are witnessing Nigeria’s tech ecosystem rise from the margins to the mainstream. LohMirmand noted that Nigeria has not merely joined the ranks of emerging tech hubs—it has leapfrogged to the top, outpacing cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and São Paulo.
She however urged the start up not to feel discouraged of the event if it does not attract investor to them “This is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Many startups won’t walk away with funding today. But they will walk away with something more valuable such as insight, connection, and the understanding of what it takes to build for the world.”
As GITEX Nigeria unfolds, the call to action is clear: investors, innovators, and global partners are invited to co-create the future in Nigeria. The conference was officially declared open by Dr. Bosun Tijani, whose words serve as a rallying cry for a new era of opportunity. The future is here, and it is proudly Nigerian.
GITEX Nigeria is not just a milestone it is a movement. A movement that signals to the world: Nigeria is ready, Lagos is leading, and the future economy is now. Backed by a government that sees digitization not as a luxury but as a necessity, the momentum is unstoppable. The future isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s proudly Nigerian.
Together, these leaders painted a compelling picture of Nigeria as Africa’s premier investment destination. With strategic infrastructure, a booming digital economy, and a creative sector that rivals global giants, Nigeria is not just participating in the future, it is shaping it.
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