Lagos has clinched the title of the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem, according to the 2025 Global Tech Ecosystem Index released by Dealroom. The Nigerian city now leads a global pack of 288 tech hubs across 69 countries, outpacing major cities in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
The index, which ranks cities based on enterprise value growth, unicorn emergence, and economic factors such as cost of living and GDP per capita, highlights Lagos’s dramatic rise as a global innovation powerhouse.
Since 2017, the city has seen its startup ecosystem valuation grow more than elevenfold, reaching an enterprise value of $15.3 billion. In that period, Lagos has also birthed five unicorns—tech companies valued at over $1 billion—including Flutterwave, OPay, Moniepoint, and Interswitch.
Dealroom categorizes Lagos as a “Rising Star,” spotlighting its exceptional speed in innovation and venture capital inflow. The report credits the city’s rapid evolution to its adaptability, local problem-solving innovations, and resilience in the face of infrastructure and policy challenges.
“What makes Lagos exceptional is its relentless agility,” the report stated. “Its ability to develop localised solutions and scale rapidly is redefining Africa’s tech landscape.”
Despite economic hurdles, including a GDP per capita of $1,600 and a population exceeding 21 million, Lagos is leveraging its low cost of living—just 22% of New York City’s—as a springboard for scalable innovation.
This landmark recognition places Lagos ahead of global contenders like Istanbul, Pune, Mumbai, and Belo Horizonte, positioning Nigeria’s commercial capital as a beacon for tech-driven development on the continent.
With global interest rising and investor confidence growing, Lagos is fast becoming a model for emerging markets aiming to build resilient, high-impact digital economies.
