Nigeria has taken a bold step into the global technology spotlight by hosting its first-ever edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) on home soil. The landmark event, which opened in Abuja and continued in Lagos, marks a new chapter in the country’s digital transformation journey after more than a decade of participating in international editions in Dubai, Marrakech, and Berlin.
The exhibition brought together government leaders, investors, startups, and global tech giants, creating a platform for collaboration and innovation. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while addressing participants at the Lagos edition, revealed that the state had attracted over \$6 billion in foreign investment into its tech ecosystem between 2019 and 2024. He described Lagos as Africa’s innovation capital, accounting for more than 70% of Nigeria’s tech inflows and serving as the birthplace of most of the continent’s unicorns.
Highlighting the role of visionary leadership, Sanwo-Olu linked today’s transformation to policies initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos Governor, including the adoption of digital governance tools two decades ago. He also celebrated homegrown innovations like the Cowry Card, a unified transport payment system designed by young Nigerians, which powers the city’s Blue Line rail system.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, outlined the Federal Government’s bold vision to deepen Nigeria’s digital economy, which currently contributes over 16% to GDP. With projects such as a nationwide 90,000km fibre backbone under Project BRIDGE and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, Tijani said Nigeria is building the foundation for global competitiveness. He added that legislation to strengthen trust and accountability in the digital economy will soon be introduced.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Director-General Kashifu Inuwa described GITEX Nigeria as more than an exhibition, calling it “a declaration that Nigeria is ready to lead the future economy.” He said fintech successes have proven Nigeria’s resilience and ingenuity, and that the country is now poised to deliver solutions in agriculture, healthcare, and security.
Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN, Ms Trixie LohMirmand, praised Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit, describing Lagos as a global test bed for technology. “If your product survives Lagos, it can thrive anywhere in the world,” she said, adding that Nigeria’s innovation is born not just from ambition but from necessity-driven grit.
With over 650 startups, 200 investors, and delegates from more than 40 countries in attendance, the debut of GITEX Nigeria has positioned the country as Africa’s leading destination for digital innovation. As Dr Tijani declared while opening the event: “The future is here, and it is proudly Nigerian.”
