Nigeria has launched its own edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), aiming to position the country as Africa’s hub for digital innovation, investment, and technology-driven growth. The event, inaugurated in Abuja and Lagos this week, highlights Nigeria’s ambition to accelerate its digital transformation and deepen its role in shaping the continent’s economic future.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani shared government projections that the digital economy could contribute 21 percent to Nigeria’s GDP by 2027, compared to its current share of 16–18 percent. He emphasized that the ICT sector had grown from less than 5 percent of GDP a decade ago to consistently account for nearly one-fifth today. According to Tijani, this progress extends beyond software and apps, driving productivity improvements across agriculture, governance, and other sectors. Key projects underpinning this vision include Project BRIDGE, a 90,000-kilometre national fiber backbone aimed at connecting every Nigerian community, and the 3MTT initiative, which he described as the largest coordinated digital skills training programme globally. He also announced upcoming legislation, including the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bills, designed to strengthen trust, security, and accountability within the sector.
At the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted the city’s central role in Nigeria’s innovation landscape, revealing that Lagos had attracted more than $6 billion in foreign investment into its tech startup ecosystem between 2019 and 2024. Sanwo-Olu underscored that over 70 percent of Nigeria’s tech-related capital inflows and unicorns are based in Lagos, describing it as Africa’s innovation capital. He noted that the state is building governance models that rely on real-time insights, supported by platforms like Lagos’ digital governance system and innovations such as the Cowry Card, a unified payment solution created by local developers.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, said the debut of GITEX Nigeria is a strong signal of the country’s readiness to take a leading role in the global digital economy. He pointed to Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, particularly in Lagos, as a key driver, with five of Africa’s most successful unicorns emerging from the city. International recognition also followed, with Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, describing Nigeria as a global innovation beacon. She highlighted the participation of more than 650 startups and 200 investors from over 40 countries, noting that Lagos provides a challenging but rewarding environment where products tested locally can thrive globally.
The conference is attracting leading technology companies such as Cisco, IBM, and MTN alongside thousands of African startups. Its debut has been received as an important step in consolidating Nigeria’s standing in global technology circles, while also reinforcing the country’s efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive digital economy. With its scale, participation, and focus on innovation-driven growth, GITEX Nigeria has established itself as a pivotal platform in Africa’s technology landscape.
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