Trixie noted the unique spirit of Nigerian entrepreneurs, contrasting them with those in developed economies.

According to her, while startups in Silicon Valley innovate out of convenience or ambition, those in Nigeria build solutions born out of necessity, solutions forged in the face of power shortages, currency fluctuations, and infrastructure gaps. 

“In Nigeria, startups innovate to survive. That is why they scale faster and endure longer,” she said. “Survival itself is the foundation of their innovation.”

GITEX NIGERIA, making its first appearance in Lagos, can’t be limited in description as a conference, she noted. With over 650 startups, 100 major tech companies, 200 investors from 40 countries, and the support of the Nigerian government and NITDA, the event is designed to draw the world’s attention to Africa’s largest economy.

Trixie described Lagos as a “mega high-speed testbed for technology,” pointing to its 20 million residents as live beta testers for innovators. “If you can survive Lagos, your product can survive anywhere in the world,” she said. 

She also stressed that unlike many cities that lean on existing infrastructure, Nigerian startups usually build industries from scratch, a fact that has positioned the country at the top in fintech globally, with solutions that inspire entrepreneurs across continents. “In other markets, they adapt from infrastructure. Here, they create the infrastructure itself,” she explained.

Importantly, she cautioned against expecting instant wins. “This is not a sprint, it is a marathon,” she said, noting that most will not walk away with immediate funding. “80 to 90% of startups will fail. That is the harsh truth, but even failure comes with value, lessons, relationships, mentorship, and clarity.”

The biggest wins from GITEX will be the insights entrepreneurs gain by measuring themselves against global companies, pointing to opportunities for product benchmarking, market fit testing, and understanding interoperability with global systems. 

“Whether it’s aligning with Oracle, integrating with Space42 from the UAE, or refining their pitches to match global standards, these are lessons that only exposure at GITEX can provide,” she said.

“Please do not judge the aesthetics of where startups are operating from. Judge the resilience and ingenuity within those environments,” she said.

The EVP also addressed doubts about bringing GITEX to Nigeria. “Why Nigeria? Because we don’t do convenience. We don’t do easy. We are here to provide access to communities that have been underserved for too long,” she asserted, calling on investors and global partners to recognise the sincerity, passion, and ingenuity of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

With Lagos recently ranked as the fastest-growing emerging startup hub in the world, overtaking Mumbai, Bangalore, São Paulo, and Istanbul, Trixie reaffirmed the city’s place as a rising star in the global tech ecosystem. “You didn’t just join the list, you went straight to the top,” she stated

This is not GITEX NIGERIA joining the global ecosystem, it is the global ecosystem turning its attention to Nigeria. “You are not looking outward; the world is coming inward to meet you,” she emphasised.

The landmark exhibition, hosted at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos, convened global technology leaders, industry professionals, and innovators under one roof.

The event featured cutting-edge solutions and breakthroughs across artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, fintech, and more, spotlighting the future of digital transformation in Africa.

In collaboration with IBM operated by MIBB, TD Africa demonstrated its commitment to empowering individuals and businesses across Africa through technology and innovation.

Their joint presence at the exhibition drew significant attention from industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators alike.

One of the defining moments was the visit of the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the TD Africa–IBM booth.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was warmly received by Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, who highlighted the company’s impact and vision. The Governor applauded TD Africa’s innovation, tenacity, and longevity in Africa’s technology ecosystem.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ekeh expressed gratitude for the Governor’s support and reiterated TD Africa’s unwavering commitment to advancing digital transformation across the continent:

“It’s not a coincidence for GITEX to have taken place in Nigeria, as the world is becoming aware that this is where the energy of Africa collides with the ambition of the future. As long as TD Africa stands strong behind global brands like IBM and others we represent, we can only go further, stronger, and better.”

Also visiting the booth was the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who emphasised the importance of collaboration in shaping Africa’s digital future.

Adding to the momentum, Mr. Vishnu Taimni, General Manager of IBM operated by MIBB, stressed the need for sustained innovation and partnership:

“Africa’s digital journey cannot be achieved in isolation. Our collaboration with TD Africa at GITEX is proof that when global expertise meets local strength, we unlock the future of technology for businesses, governments, and communities across the continent.”

The booth was further honoured by the presence of Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group, who commended TD Africa and IBM for their steadfastness and consistency in driving growth and innovation in Africa’s technology sector.

The successful participation of TD Africa at GITEX Nigeria 2025, in partnership with IBM, reinforces its position as a pillar of Africa’s digital transformation journey.

By standing strong with global partners and local stakeholders, TD Africa continues to shape the future of technology in Africa, driven by resilience, innovation, and impact.

• GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival cast a unique global spotlight on the profound influence of emerging entrepreneurs across Nigeria & Africa 
• Supernova Challenge finals also headlined the third & final day of GITEX NIGERIA 2025 – Curacel claimed $10,000 first prize

The inaugural GITEX NIGERIA concluded in a tremendous fashion this Thursday in Lagos, as West Africa’s largest tech, AI, and startup show cast a spotlight on the influence of emerging local and regional entrepreneurs.

Held under the patronage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GITEX NIGERIA took place across Abuja and Lagos from 1-4 September.

Supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the event was endorsed by Lagos State Government and organised by KAOUN International, global producer of GITEX events.

Taking place in Nigeria’s commercial and innovation capital, the GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival showcased the strength and depth of an ecosystem through which talent development pathways and digital infrastructure projects are accelerating Nigeria’s US$1 trillion economy ambition.

Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos State, hailed its immediate impact at the national level, declaring:

“GITEX NIGERIA sends an inspirational message to every Nigerian: that many positive things are transpiring across our country and opportunities are here. For every attendee at the GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival, this has been immediately apparent. We see many young citizens and entrepreneurs, with enormous innovative minds, making a real difference – generating interest, raising capital, and overcoming challenges by bringing their ideas to life and delivering tangible impact. Such outcomes are crucial because they show that, as the world evolves, so too does Nigeria – as a nation of leaders, innovators, and architects of digital future we envisage.”

Central to Nigeria – and Africa’s – digital sovereignty is upskilling and expanding grassroots talent and organisations.

As the largest regional showcase of its kind and a convergence point for local and international stakeholders embracing digital transformation, the GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival was perfectly timed to support this mandate.

Over 650 startups from 27+ countries and 29 different industries participated with a shared vision of co-creating tech architecture across multiple sectors undergoing continent-wide digitisation. Its strategic programme included Nigeria’s most globally diverse investor programme, innovation hub showcases, and curated meetings between startups, investors, corporates, governments, industry leaders, and prospective partners.

Speaking after the recent announcement of funding 75 new research projects for startups, researchers, corporates and Nigerian diaspora for digital innovation, Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said:

“The opportunity and responsibility lies with all of us to build a resilient, innovative, and globally connected ecosystem, one that ensures that Nigeria not only keeps pace with the digital future but also shapes it. To all enterprises, corporates, startups, academia, and partners, we offer a transparent and accelerated path to collaboration, investment, and cooperation with Nigeria. Let us accelerate the development of the digital economy not only for Nigeria, but for Africa and the world.”

Supporting the multi-sector disruption ranging from education and agriculture through manufacturing and energy, startup participation was bolstered by hundreds of organisations brought by local engagement and international innovation hub partnerships.

Within Nigeria, NITDA, Lagos State, FATE Foundation, Co-creation Hub Africa (CcHUB), and Orange Corners were among the partners, while internationally, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), American Business Council (ABC) contributed.

Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general/CEO, NITDA, said:

“Across Africa and around the globe, future-oriented partnerships are the lifeblood of thriving startup ecosystems and digital economies. By uniting ambitious organisations from instrumental sectors in the emerging digital economy, we demonstrate how collaboration fuels innovation, accelerates transformation, and empowers Nigerians and Africans to shape their digital future.”

Universally recognised as the world’s leading pitch competition for early-stage companies and emerging entrepreneurs, the Supernova Challenge made its regional debut at West Africa’s largest tech, AI, and startup show – culminating in action-packed Thursday final.

Across two days in Nigeria’s innovation capital, the continent’s brightest and boldest disruptors joined Nigeria’s most visionary startups in competing for a US$22,000 total prize pool across six categories – showcasing game-changing solutions transforming agritech, cybersecurity, edtech, e-commerce, healthtech, telecom, and more.

Following the semi-finals 24 hours prior, the remaining contestants battled it out for valuable cash prizes and unprecedented visibility as regional and international investors watched on.

Abdul-Jabbar Momoh, VP, from Nigerian startup Curacel,  revolutionising health insurance with AI-driven solutions – emerged as the most outstanding finalist among the expert judging panel, and was awarded the US$10,000 first prize for its AI-driven health insurance solution.

Reflecting on the at GITEX NIGERIA, Momoh said:

“Placing first at the GITEX NIGERIA Supernova Challenge gives us more visibility and fuel our expansion across Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as North America. Most importantly we are going to keep on impacting lives in Africa and around the world by deploying solutions to move health insurance distribution.”

The winners across each Supernova Challenge category were as follows:

• Overall Supernova Champion (US$10,000): Curacel
• AI category (US$2,000): Build Africa
• Digital Finance category (US$2,000): InCash
• Creative Economy & Martech (US$2,000): Hadiya
• Agritech & Energy (US$2,000): Acecore
• Mobility & Smart Cities (US$2,000): Kara
• Disruptor Award (US$2,000): HiPrep

For more information, news and updates on GITEX NIGERIA, please visit gitexnigeria.ng.

The partnership aims to modernize T2’s Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operations Support Systems (OSS), driving T2’s mission to become Nigeria’s Digital Lifestyle Partner and ushering in a digital renaissance in telecom.

The high-profile signing ceremony held during Gitex Nigeria, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in T2’s four-phase transformation strategy: Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation, and Growth as T2 positions itself for a powerful comeback in Nigeria’s competitive telecom sector.

This structured approach underscores its commitment to restoring competitiveness, driving customer-centric innovation, and enabling Nigeria’s digital future.

With strategic initiatives such as national roaming already underway, and a recent multi-million-dollar infrastructure deal with Huawei, creating a powerful dual-pronged strategy that modernizes network operations, access to infrastructure and digital customer engagement platforms, T2 is poised to redefine the digital experience for millions of Nigerian customers.

Together, these deals mark a defining moment in T2’s aggressive return to market leadership, while also showcasing a bold vote of confidence in the Nigerian economy by the company’s investors, led by Chairman Thomas Etuh.

“This is not just a systems upgrade,” said Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of T2 Mobile.
“It’s a customer-first revolution that transforms how people interact with their digital world, seamlessly, instantly, and on their terms.”

With this foundation in place, T2 Mobile is boldly positioning itself beyond the traditional telecom business. The company is evolving into a platform player, one that delivers not only voice and data, but also digital financial services, content, cloud services, and smart lifestyle offerings.

Banigbe highlighted that T2’s vision goes beyond just enhancing its telecom network. ‘We’re crafting an ecosystem where connectivity is the key to unlocking a world of possibilities – from entertainment and education to commerce and financial empowerment.”

Sumanth Konuru, CEO, Knot Solutions said “Africa’s telecom landscape is transforming rapidly, and the modernization of BSS and OSS platforms is at the core of that shift. With our flagship cloud-native platform, RaptrDXP, T2 is gaining the ability to move beyond traditional, rigid service models into a dynamic, hyper-personalized ecosystem and we’re proud to be part of this journey and excited about what we will accomplish together.”

He noted that this isn’t just about efficiency, but it’s about delivering unmatched experiences. From real-time billing to personalized service bundles, T2 customers will benefit from a smarter, more intuitive digital journey.

The dual transformation; Huawei at the network level and Knot Solutions at the digital systems level lays the groundwork for customer experiences that are faster, smarter, and more intuitive than ever before.

With Huawei, T2 is upgrading its core network infrastructure to deliver enhanced coverage, improved data speed, and reliable service quality. With Knot Solutions, T2 gains the ability to Implement real-time, transparent billing, launch hyper-personalized data and lifestyle bundles, enable self-service tools and apps that put customers in control, build a 360° view of customer interactions through analytics and automation and scale effortlessly through cloud-native architecture

This vision aligns with global trends where telecom operators evolve into digital lifestyle enablers, a strategic shift that opens new revenue streams while deepening customer engagement.

The back-to-back multi-million dollar deals with Huawei and Knot Solutions reflect a deep commitment to the Nigerian market and confidence in the country’s digital economy as this level of investment is rooted in a long-term belief in Nigeria’s growth trajectory:

Analysts have said that this is not just a bet on technology. It’s a bet on Nigeria on the people, on the talent, and on the boundless potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.

It demonstrates that T2 is here to lead, to innovate, and to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Tijani warned that Africa risks being left behind if the continent does not fast-track AI adoption across key economic sectors.

He highlighted that nations already leveraging AI are achieving exponential gains in agriculture, finance, logistics, and education, while many African economies still rely on guesswork and outdated practices.

“AI will widen the productivity gap between nations. Countries that are already ahead will move even faster, while those still catching up will find it even more difficult,” Tijani said.

AI in Agriculture: A Stark Contrast

Drawing from his recent visits to Brazil and South Africa, Tijani cited precision agriculture as a prime example of AI’s transformative power.

Farmers in Brazil now deploy soil sensors, predictive analytics, drones, and satellite imaging to boost yields and cut input costs by up to 95%.

By comparison, Nigerian farmers still average 2.5 tonnes of maize per hectare, far below Brazil’s 10–12 tonnes.

Africa’s AI Roadmap

To guide Africa’s AI journey, Tijani outlined four priorities:

1. Balancing Sovereignty with Collaboration – developing national AI strategies while pursuing continental standards to avoid fragmentation.
2. Leveraging Africa’s Youthful Population – equipping young people with skills for the future through programmes like Nigeria’s “3 Million Technical Talent”
3. Digitising African Realities – building relevant datasets in agriculture, health, and education to ensure AI solutions reflect local needs.
4. Investing in Infrastructure – expanding affordable connectivity and clean energy to support AI-driven development.

Tijani stressed that Africa must aim to become a producer of innovation, not merely a consumer.

“If we cannot close this gap, Africa risks becoming a continent that imports food, imports services, and imports innovation. That is not the Africa we want,” he said, urging stakeholders to move from dialogue to action.

NITDA DG Calls for Shared AI Infrastructure

Supporting Tijani’s message, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), called for pan-African collaboration in building shared AI infrastructure to ensure the continent is not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Any country left behind in this AI revolution risks catastrophe, while those who lead will shape the world,” Inuwa said.

He cited research by Epoch AI, which projects automation could increase global economic growth by 20%, potentially doubling the world economy within five years.

Inuwa outlined four areas critical for Africa’s AI capacity building:

• Human Capital – harnessing Africa’s youthful, digitally native population.
• Infrastructure – expanding connectivity, data centres, and local computing power.
• Policy and Legal Frameworks – with Nigeria already leading under Tijani’s guidance.
• Enabling Ecosystem – supporting start-ups, AI research, and global partnerships, with Nigeria already funding 45 AI-focused start-ups.

He further stressed the importance of developing local large language models (LLMs) to ensure African values and cultures are represented in global AI systems.

Global Partnerships and Nigeria’s Digital Future

Closing the summit, Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), emphasized Nigeria’s role as a digital frontier.

With its population projected to grow from 230 million today to 400 million by 2050, she said Nigeria’s opportunities far outweigh its current challenges.

“Nigeria is not defined by the headlines or its current challenges, but by the scale of opportunities of tomorrow. Those who stay the course are the future of Africa,” LohMirmand said.

She highlighted GITEX as a global ecosystem for investors, innovators, and start-ups, reaffirming DWTC’s commitment to providing a platform where Nigerian SMEs and innovators can access global partnerships and compete on the world stage.

The initiative, which will have a dedicated zone within the GITEX Nigeria showcase, is a structural market intervention aimed at addressing the chronic under-capitalisation of women-owned enterprises. 

While women own 27% of businesses in Africa and contribute 13% of GDP, they secure only 7% of total venture capital funding.

“Who gets funded determines what gets built, and what gets built will define the economic future of Africa,” said Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA. “The LaunchPad ensures women founders are not just part of the conversation but central to Africa’s innovation economy. Closing this funding gap for women is not charity, it’s one of the smartest bets we can make for Africa’s future.”

The LaunchPad will channel $250,000 in catalytic capital into five ventures selected after GITEX Nigeria. Each startup will receive between $25,000 and $50,000, coupled with equity investment, regulatory guidance, and mentorship designed to prepare them for long-term growth.

What distinguishes The LaunchPad is its design. Unlike grant-only models such as the Cartier Women’s Initiative, or accelerators with limited follow-up, this platform integrates equity investment, regulatory de-risking, and structured pathways to scale.

At GITEX Nigeria 2025, The LaunchPad by NITDA and Alami zone will feature multiple touchpoints. These include a Funding Pavilion showcasing high-potential women-led ventures, Capital Readiness Clinics where founders engage directly with investors, and a Fireside for Scale, a dialogue on market expansion and IPO readiness. 

The event will also host the ‘To the Stars’ Bell Activation, a symbolic ringing of the bell with the SEC and women founders to mark the rise of women in Africa’s capital markets.

“As an investor, I witness the economics of exclusion every day. This is about building a vetted, investable pipeline of women-led ventures grounded in institutional rigour,” said Olu Olufemi-White, CEO of Alami Capital.

“Our mission is to shift capital flows, transform investment behaviour, and unlock Africa’s full innovation potential.”

How to Apply

To be among innovators who will see business scale via The LaunchPad, apply via the link.

According to industry watchers, Nigeria hosting GITEX West Africa is a major win towards positioning the country as a global technology hub where digital technology is leveraged to uplift the nation.

Kashifu Inuwa, director-general of NITDA, made the announcement at NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) which comprises representatives from key public and private sector stakeholders, underscoring a unified national effort to deliver a world-class tech conference on Nigerian soil.

This maiden edition of the event which is themed “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria” is expected to have not less than 1000 startups, over 100 investors and an attendance of over 20,000 participants which would be held in Abuja and Lagos between 1st and 4th of September 2025.

GITEX Nigeria is set to bring together global tech leaders, innovators, investors, startups, and policy makers, opening up new avenues for collaboration, investment, and technological exchange.

The event in Abuja will witness government leadership and AI summit to unite government leaders and global tech executives to drive national projects, including digital infrastructure expansion, AI adoption and public sector innovation while in Lagos, which is the commercial hub of the country, GITEX aims to spotlight the nation’s tech ecosystem, promoting startups, attracting investment, growth driving multi-sector economic diversification to a global audience.

Speaking at the inauguration of the LOC, the DG who was represented by Mr Olawumi Oladejo, the director of the ITIS department, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the milestone achievement and thanked everyone for all the effort they have been putting into the actualisation of the great event in Nigeria.

He emphasized the potential impact of hosting such a prestigious event, stating that it would not only elevate Nigeria’s international profile but also boost local businesses, drive tourism, and provide a platform for innovation and partnerships.

“We all know the positive impact that hosting this kind of event will bring to the country. It will boost our international standing and scale our local businesses and tourism. This event is part of our way of implementing a major pillar, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024–2027),” he added.

According to the DG, the implementation of the GITEX Nigeria is in line with the 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR through the implementation of the agency’s SRAP.

Noting that the GITEX model has expanded to North Africa, specifically in Morocco, Inuwa asserted that Nigeria’s hosting of the event will mark its first footprint in West Africa.

While assuring the stakeholders of presidential backing for the initiative, the DG concluded that “if we can successfully host this, it will open the door for Nigeria to lead digital transformation efforts across the region.”

In his presentation on the overview of the GITEX Nigeria preparations, the Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnerships department, Dr Aristotle Onumo stated that the vision of the event is to elevate 6 local startups to global standards in 3 years.

He added that the event which will be anchored on 3 fulcrums; enablement, engagement, and knowledge to enhance growth in the Telecom, Fintech, Agritech, Edtech, e-Commerce, Healthtech as well as data centres in reinforcing data sovereignty and other sectors.

Speaking on the opportunities the event will bring in terms of boosting investments into the Nigerian Tech Ecosystem, he noted that “78% of startups are expecting to receive funds from investors as a result of their participation in GITEX.”