Lagos, Nigeria – Once known mainly for its commerce and ports, Lagos is fast becoming Africa’s proving ground for large-scale digital transformation, with policymakers and global tech leaders converging on the city to outline pathways toward Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy.
At the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference 2025, the spotlight was not only on gadgets and startups, but on Lagos’ role as a laboratory where government vision, private capital, and youthful talent are shaping Africa’s digital future.
A City Outgrowing Old Labels
Financial Times recently listed 23 Lagos-based firms among Nigeria’s fastest-growing companies, a recognition Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said underscores the resilience of a city where nearly 2,000 new residents arrive every day.
“Lagos is no longer just a city,” Sanwo-Olu told participants. “It is the heartbeat of innovation, a place where partnerships ignite opportunities that will position Nigeria on the global digital map.”
Policy Meets Innovation
Federal Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani used the event to unveil 75 new government-funded research projects scheduled to begin in October. The aim: strengthen Nigeria’s artificial intelligence capabilities and accelerate collaboration among startups, researchers, and the diaspora.
Tijani stressed that infrastructure and inclusion remain central challenges, but said Lagos provides the right scale to test solutions that can later expand nationwide.
Preparing for 2030 and Beyond
While technology drew headlines, Lagos officials also revealed structural plans to prepare the city for a projected 24 million residents by 2030. Initiatives include:
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Cutting food import dependence by boosting local production by 20% annually.
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Launching an Industrial Policy (2025–2030) to attract new capital and revive manufacturing.
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Hosting global-facing summits such as the Lagos Investment Summit 2.0 and the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) to channel funds into fintech, smart infrastructure, and green energy.
Why Lagos Matters
Observers note that Lagos’ combination of scale, ambition, and demographic pressure makes it a unique testing ground for policies and partnerships that could define the continent’s next growth story.
By 2050, Nigeria is projected to be the world’s third most populous nation, with Lagos as its economic anchor. If the city succeeds in marrying innovation with inclusive growth, analysts say it could become a template for African megacities navigating the digital age.
