L-R: Director-General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; GITEX Global Organiser/CEO of Kaoun International, Trixie Lohmirmand; IFC Regional Director, Central and Anglophone West Africa, Dahlia Khalifa; UAE Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Salem Al Jaberi and Commissioner of Innovation, Science and Technology, Lagos, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake during the GITEX exhibition walkthrough and welcome address event, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island in Lagos, on Wednesday.
Following a landmark Government Leadership & AI Summit in Abuja, Lagos has officially opened its doors to West Africa’s largest technology, AI, and startup gathering: GITEX NIGERIA. Over the next two days, the city will host a dynamic showcase of innovation, ambition, and digital transformation.
L-R: Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; CEO, Alami Capital Nigeria, Olu Olufemi-White; Director-General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; GITEX Global organiser/CEO of Kaoun International, Trixie Lohmirmand; IFC Regional Director, Central and Anglophone West Africa, Dahlia Khalifa and UAE Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Salem Al Jaberi during the GITEX exhibition walkthrough and welcome address event, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island in Lagos, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, delivered a bold message: “Lagos is not just a city for today—it is Africa’s innovation nerve centre and a launchpad for Africa’s tomorrow.” He emphasized the state’s commitment to building a data-driven government and empowering citizens through inclusive digital connectivity.
A National Effort for a Digital Future
Held under the patronage of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GITEX NIGERIA spans both Abuja and Lagos from 1–4 September. The event is supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in collaboration with NITDA, and endorsed by the Lagos State Government. It is organized by KAOUN International, producers of the global GITEX series.
Lagos Takes Center Stage
Lagos hosts two flagship events:
– GITEX NIGERIA Tech Expo & Future Economy Conference at Eko Hotel Convention Centre
– GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival at Landmark Centre
These platforms spotlight Lagos’s digital prowess, enabling traditional sectors to fast-track their digital transformation while showcasing a thriving startup ecosystem, robust investor confidence, and high-impact public-private partnerships.
Voices of Leadership
Hon. Minister Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, reinforced the strategic importance of Nigeria’s digital economy: “Technology must not only grow GDP—it must expand opportunity, reduce inequality, and create shared prosperity. We are building for every Nigerian, not just the elite.”
Between 2019 and 2024, Lagos attracted over US$6 billion in foreign tech investment, accounting for more than 70% of Nigeria’s total tech inflows. The city now hosts hyperscale data centres, extensive fibre infrastructure, and 23 of Nigeria’s 28 fastest-growing companies, according to the Financial Times.
Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of NITDA, praised Lagos’s resilience and ingenuity:
“Lagos is a crucible of innovation—a factory of unicorns. Here, people innovate not because they have everything, but because they must. That’s our strength.”
Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN International, described Lagos as:
“A mega high-speed tech testbed—dense, diverse, and demanding. If your solution thrives in Lagos, it can thrive anywhere.”
Global Collaboration
GITEX NIGERIA is powered by partners including AWS, Cisco, IFC, Kaspersky, and key federal ministries. It also features Nigeria’s most globally diverse investor programme, facilitating high-level meetings between startups, corporates, and decision-makers.
For updates and more information, visit gitexnigeria.ng.
