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Nigerian entrepreneurs are the architects of the digital future says Lagos State Deputy Governor as GITEX NIGERIA champions national & regional startup ecosystems

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8 months ago

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GITEX NIGERIA

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

LAGOS, Nigeria, September 5, 2025/APO Group/ —

  • 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 (www.GITEXNIGERIA.ng) 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 H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 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.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, H.E. Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, 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.

Let us accelerate the development of the digital economy not only for Nigeria, but for Africa and the world

Speaking after the recent announcement of funding 75 new research projects for startups, researchers, corporates and Nigerian diaspora for digital innovation, the Hon. 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 www.GITEXNIGERIA.ng

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX NIGERIA.

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Canada–Africa Financing Forum to Convene Investors and Decision-Makers in Cape Town – May 14, 2026

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12 hours ago

on

April 29, 2026

By

Ateau Zola

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships

TORONTO, Canada, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –The Canada–Africa Chamber of Business (https://CanadaAfrica.ca) will convene investors, financiers, policymakers, and industry leaders in Cape Town on May 14, 2026 for the Canada–Africa Financing Forum—a high-level platform focused on unlocking capital and accelerating deal flow across African markets.

Registration is open (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships. The program connects leaders from venture capital, private equity, and institutional investors to examine where capital is moving—and where the next opportunities lie—supported by Canadian project partners with proven capacity to deliver on-the-ground.

Delegates will engage directly with finance and investment decision-makers, following the program opening, featuring messages from President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Mark Carney, in addition to high-level Ministerial representation.

This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation

“This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation,” said Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada–Africa Chamber of Business. “We are convening investors, institutions, and project leaders who are actively shaping transactions across Africa—and connecting them directly with Canadian partners who are ready to work together.”

The Canada–Africa Financing Forum reflects the Chamber’s role as a privately financed, market-led platform advancing Canada-Africa trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events.

Why Attend

  • Direct access to active dealmakers and capital allocators
  • Insights into where capital is being deployed and key players delivering major projects
  • Opportunities to build partnerships across Canada and African markets
  • Participation in a curated, high-level environment focused on execution

Secure Your Place

Space is limited and demand is strong.

Apply to secure your place (http://apo-opa.co/4vXb9oz)

Read More and View the Program (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

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ORUN and 1xBET Partner to Support a Dynamic Creative Africa

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19 hours ago

on

April 29, 2026

By

MIR Holding

During the MASA 2026 edition, held from April 11 to 18, 2026, ORUN and 1xBET implemented the We Champion Talent program, an initiative aimed at promoting African talent and advancing the development of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –As part of the Innovation Village co-organized with MASA at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan from April 14 to 18, ORUN (https://ORUN.Africa) announces the rollout of its partnership with 1xBET to support a creative Africa that is structuring itself, professionalizing, and scaling across the continent.

We aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency

Designed as a space of convergence between heritage, innovation, and knowledge transmission, the Innovation Village features scenography crafted by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses on creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a major institutional highlight on April 17. Its narrative platform is built around three pillars: memory, structure, and transmission. The initiative aims to position cultural and creative industries as an economic driver for the continent.

“The Innovation Village was conceived as an act of construction. By partnering with organizations such as 1xBET, we aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

This vision aligns with ORUN’s broader ambition to produce, structure, and internationalize African creative industries through events, content, and strategic partnerships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ORUN, part of African Currency Network (ACN).

 

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MIR Holding Reaffirms Its Commitment to African Creative Industries Alongside ORUN at Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain d’Abidjan (MASA) 2026

Published

19 hours ago

on

April 29, 2026

By

MIR Holding

More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –On the occasion of MASA 2026, held from April 11 to 18 in Abidjan, MIR Holding (https://MIRHolding.odoo.com) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of African creative industries by partnering with ORUN as part of the Innovation Village, hosted at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. This presence reflects a clear intention to support the scaling of cultural and creative industries so they can fully contribute to job creation and value generation across the continent.

 

Co-organized by ORUN and MASA, the Innovation Village brought together over several days scenography designed by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses dedicated to creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a key institutional highlight on April 17.

At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains

Built around three pillars — memory, structure, and transmission — the initiative carried a renewed ambition for culture: positioning it as a concrete lever for economic structuring and African projection.

By supporting this initiative, MIR Holding aligns with a broader dynamic aimed at strengthening connections between creation, entrepreneurship, content, youth, and growth ecosystems. More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures. MIR Holding stands among the main partners of the Village, alongside Africa Currency Network and other stakeholders engaged in this vision.

“With ORUN, we are not only seeking to make culture visible. We aim to help provide it with a framework, a reach, and a trajectory. What is at stake here is the continent’s ability to better transform its creative energy into sustainable value, real opportunities, and influence,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

Mouhamed Dieng, President of MIR Holding, added: “Supporting Africa’s creative industries is not about backing a secondary sector. It is about investing in one of the continent’s most powerful spaces for storytelling, youth, innovation, and competitiveness. At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MIR Holding.

 

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