The largest technology exhibition in Africa, Gitex Africa Morocco 2023, has been captivating audiences with groundbreaking innovations and inspiring leaders. Among the prominent figures addressing the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stood out with his unwavering commitment to the growth of the tech industry in Africa. Recognizing the vast and untapped potential that lies within the realms of technology and digital innovation, the governor emphasized the need for collective efforts from governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society to propel the African continent toward becoming the next Silicon Valley.
Governor Sanwo-Olu's visionary speech at the GITEX One Africa Digital Summit shed light on the remarkable progress achieved by his administration in fostering an enabling environment for startups and tech companies to flourish. The results have been nothing short of extraordinary, with the creation of jobs, driving economic growth, and the provision of innovative solutions to pressing societal problems. Lagos, the bustling megacity of Nigeria, has emerged as a thriving epicenter of tech entrepreneurship and innovation, with a rich tapestry of success stories that have inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors across the continent.
Governor Sanwo-Olu proudly acknowledged the rise of Yaba, a metropolitan area in Lagos renowned for hosting the highest concentration of startups in Nigeria. He attributed its success to a well-coordinated public-private partnership, underscoring the pivotal role collaboration between the government and the private sector plays in fostering development.
"As the Governor of Lagos State, I am not only representing a sub-sovereign state within Nigeria but also embody the unwavering belief in vast potential Africa holds within the realms of technology and digital innovation," declared Governor Sanwo-Olu.
With an ardent focus on supporting the growth of the tech industry in Africa, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the meteoric rise of Lagos as a thriving epicenter of tech entrepreneurship and innovation. The city has become home to some of the most innovative and successful startups in Africa, including Andela, Paystack, Flutterwave, Kobo360, and Kuda Bank. These remarkable companies have not only disrupted industries such as fintech and e-commerce but have also ignited a spirit of entrepreneurship and investment across the continent.
Governor Sanwo-Olu attributed these success stories, in part, to the influx of funds from companies, unicorns, and venture capital firms that have flooded the Lagos tech ecosystem in recent years. These investments have been attracted by the market size and the increasingly favorable environment that Lagos offers on the African continent.
The governor further emphasized the immense potential for growth in Africa, citing a McKinsey report projecting consumer spending to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025 and Africa's workforce to become the largest in the world by 2035. He highlighted the crucial role that technology plays in unlocking this potential and propelling Africa forward.
Highlighting his administration's efforts in the technology sector, Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed the deployment of over 2,900km of fiber optic infrastructure in Lagos. This extensive network connects public schools, government buildings, hospitals, and various points of interest, promoting connectivity and accessibility throughout the city.
His impassioned address at the GITEX One Africa Digital Summit showcased his unwavering dedication to supporting the growth of the tech industry in Africa. Through an enabling environment, collaborative partnerships, and inspiring success stories emerging from Lagos, the governor is leading the charge toward Africa's transformation into a global tech powerhouse. With resolute optimism, he envisions Africa not merely as a consumer of technology but as a creator, innovator, and leader in the digital age.
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