By One of the world’s most leading technology event has berthed in Nigeria with two editions holding both in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria and at the nation’s capital, Abuja where the world came to showcase technology that delegates from across the world were excited to behold.
It took over a decade of active participation by Nigerians to finally have the global event hosted in their shores with larger crowd who came in their numbers from all sectors of the Nigerian economy to see for themselves what GITEX actually means.
Recall that before now, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria had been in the vanguard of seeking the hosting the event in Dubai, UAE, in Marrakech, Morocco, and in Berlin, Germany.
After the hosting of the Abuja version, GITEX came to Lagos, where during the his keynote address on Wednesday, the State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the state has attracted over $6 billion in direct foreign investment into its tech startup sector between 2019 and 2024.
According to him, this milestone cements Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading innovation hub and signals a new era of opportunity for global investors.
He noted that Lagos’ transformation is no longer aspirational, but a living reality, saying that with hyperscale data centres, submarine cables, and a city-wide fibre connectivity grid, Lagos and in extension Nigeria is undergoing a digital revolution.
Lagos State, he observed has emerged as one of the world’s most vibrant tech ecosystems, accounting 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.
Sanwo-Olu stated that through the Lagos Digital Service Platform, citizens now access healthcare, transportation, and civic services with a single click.
He said, “We are building a government where policy decisions respond to real-time insights, a government where no Lagosian is left behind.”
While called 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.
“The future economy should not be dictated by geography,” it must be co-created through partnerships”, he said.
Earlier, in his remarks 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 Minister, Nigeria is a digitally connected nation, and globally competitive because it is powered by infrastructure, talent, and creativity.
“Nigeria 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.
He said, “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.”
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.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, in his remark said that Nigeria is ready to lead the future economy noting that with deliberate policy and a thriving tech ecosystem, Nigeria is poised to deliver solutions across agriculture, healthcare, and security.
Inuwa said, “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.”
“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.”
He said, “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’ve 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 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 said, “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 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 th
at 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 dsicouraged 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.”
