Lagos has again proven why it’s Africa’s innovation heartbeat, as the city hosted the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference 2025. The two-day event, held at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre and Landmark Centre from September 3–4, 2025, drew a record crowd of more than 20,000 participants, including 3,000 tech professionals and nearly 1,000 startups from around the world.
The message from the buzzing halls was unmistakable: Lagos is not just part of Africa’s digital story—it’s shaping it. The city’s presence at GITEX demonstrated a blend of ambition, creativity, and readiness to lead Africa’s next phase of technological growth.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, noted that ICT now contributes between 16 and 18 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, up from less than 5 per cent a decade ago. He projected that the figure could rise above 21 per cent by 2027 if current growth continues.
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From Startup Magnet to Tech Powerhouse
Lagos’s rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. Between 2019 and 2024, the city attracted more than US $6 billion in startup funding—over 70 percent of Nigeria’s total. It is now home to several unicorns, including Flutterwave, Interswitch, Paystack, Kuda Bank, and Opay, which have become continental success stories.
That growth has helped build an ecosystem worth an estimated US $15 billion, up more than tenfold since 2017. According to the Financial Times, 23 of Nigeria’s 28 fastest-growing companies are based in Lagos. No surprise, then, that Deal.com ranked the city as the fastest-emerging tech city in the world.
Lagos’s startup culture has also proven remarkably resilient. The city attracts about 2,000 new residents daily, many of them young innovators chasing opportunity. Startups here raised US $400 million in 2024 alone, underlining Lagos’s ability to produce ideas that scale regionally and globally.
Dr Dahlia Khalifa of the International Finance Corporation described Lagos as “one of the most dynamic innovation hubs in Africa, even the world,” citing its fast-growing data infrastructure—from hyperscale centres to fibre networks—as evidence that Africa’s digital future is already under construction.
Resilience and Vision Define the Lagos Edge
What makes Lagos unique is not only its investment but also its resilience and inclusive spirit. Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN International (organisers of GITEX), described Nigerian startups as “world-class innovators born from necessity.” Facing challenges like power outages and inflation, they have mastered the art of turning obstacles into opportunity.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu echoed that sentiment, calling the city “a place where everyone—an Igbo engineer, Yoruba entrepreneur, or Hausa coder—can dream and thrive.” He highlighted how diversity drives the city’s creative energy.
The Lagos State Government continues to support this momentum through agencies such as the Lagos State Science and Innovation Council (LASIC), which grants up to ₦80 million annually to promising startups. A standout success is She Mobility, a local app for vehicle financing that has raised nearly US $100 million, showing that Lagos startups can scale globally while solving local problems.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also noted the government’s own digital transformation. Lagos was among the first Nigerian states to deploy a full ERP system for efficient governance and now operates a unified transport payment card built by young local developers. The card serves more than 6.5 million residents across buses, trains, and ferries—proof that home-grown innovation can power public infrastructure.
With its population of over 22 million, Lagos offers startups an ideal testing ground. Investors often say it’s one of the few African cities where market size, talent, and policy support come together in one ecosystem.
GITEX Nigeria 2025: A Bridge to Global Collaboration
The decision to host GITEX in Nigeria was itself a bold statement. After witnessing GITEX Africa in Morocco, Governor Sanwo-Olu challenged organisers to bring the platform to Lagos—and they delivered. National bodies such as NITDA, led by Kashifu Inuwa, backed the move, positioning the event as a springboard for global partnerships.
The 2025 edition featured over 78 countries, confirming international interest in Nigeria’s digital economy. LohMirmand described GITEX Nigeria as a bridge between global investors and African innovation.
At the Lagos Pavilion, government ministries and agencies showcased tech-driven initiatives in governance, education, tourism, and health. Startups pitched for funding, while agencies like LASRIC and LSETF provided guidance and financial support.
Beyond the boardrooms, visitors experienced Lagos’s cultural vibrancy—from traditional dance to Jollof rice, suya, and Afrobeat performances—reminding the world that technology and creativity flourish side by side here. Commissioner for Tourism, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, urged guests to return and explore Lagos’s broader creative economy.
By the close of GITEX 2025, it was clear that Lagos had not just hosted an event—it had hosted a vision. A vision of Africa’s future powered by digital innovation, youth energy, and cultural pride.
As the applause faded at the Landmark Centre, one truth stood tall: Africa’s digital epicentre is no longer a dream. It’s Lagos—bold, bustling, and building the future today.
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