Lagos, Nigeria – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu delivered a landmark speech at GITEX Nigeria, boldly proclaiming Lagos as “Africa’s innovation now center” and highlighting the city’s extraordinary technological transformation.
The Governor painted a vivid picture of Lagos’s technological ecosystem, revealing that “Between 2019 and 2024, we have seen over 6 billion in direct foreign tech startup funding into the state and the city.” He emphasized the city’s unique character, stating, “This is the essence of Lagos, a place where diversity is not just demographic, but an engine of creativity and resilience.”
Highlighting the city’s remarkable diversity, Sanwo-Olu quoted a young resident who captured Lagos’s spirit: “It’s only in Lagos that you can dream as an Hausa boy. You can code in whatever language you can reach in Yoruba, and you can still understand in this frame.”
The technological achievements were particularly impressive. “We have seen hyperscale data centers coming. We have seen drop of submarine cables. We are seeing breeds of private connectivity,” he explained. More critically, he noted that “Lagos accounts for well over 70% of all the tech influence of our country” and “more than 70% of all the unicorns coming out of Africa has passed their route from Lagos.”
Digital governance was a key theme. “At the heart of our vision lies an unshakable belief that governance in 21st Century must be digital, inclusive, and data-driven,” Sanwo-Olu declared. The Lagos Digital Service Platform allows citizens to access services “with a single click,” transforming public service delivery.
The Blue Line rail project received special attention. “Tomorrow, you are going to enter the blue line at half the price,” he announced, highlighting a carrying card designed by “27-28 year old Lagosians” that works across multiple transportation systems.
Supporting young innovators remains a priority. The government’s Research Fund provides seed funding of “50 million and 80 million, depending on what you pick and what we see,” with the goal of encouraging entrepreneurial spirit.
“We want the future to arrive,” Sanwo-Olu emphasized, “We’re building a data-driven government where policy decisions respond to real-time insights.”
The Governor’s vision extends beyond local boundaries. “The future economy is not to be detected by geography, but it should be co-created through partnership across borders,” he proclaimed, inviting global collaboration.
Concluding with a passionate call to action, Sanwo-Olu challenged attendees: “We need to seize the momentum. We need to take advantage of what this platform has given to us and be able to walk and dream and do that, we can give that opportunity to tens and thousands of young, innovative, smart Nigerians that truly want to take their work to the world.”
The speech was more than a presentation; it was a declaration of Lagos’s technological ambition, positioning the city as Africa’s premier innovation hub and a global digital powerhouse.
