The 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index by StartupBlink, a leading platform in global startup research, has highlighted Nigeria’s prominent role in Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. Evaluating over 1,450 cities across more than 110 countries, the report showcases Nigeria’s five leading cities and their positions within the global ecosystem.
Nigeria’s Top Cities and Their Global Standing
Top Five Cities in Nigeria:
- Lagos
- Abuja
- Ibadan
- Enugu
- Port Harcourt
The Next Five Cities:
- Ilorin
- Kano
- Kaduna
- Nguru (Yobe State)
- Benin City
Despite some fluctuations in rankings, Nigeria remains West Africa’s dominant startup hub, with six cities ranked within the top 1,000 globally. However, the report notes a slight decline in Nigeria’s overall position, slipping from 64th in 2024 to 66th in 2025, and a decline in ecosystem growth below 6 percent, the lowest among Africa’s top seven startup countries.
Regional Context:
Nigeria maintains its leadership in the continent, with six cities in Africa’s top ten. Nonetheless, the country now ranks 4th among African countries, reflecting increased competition from other nations. Notably, Nigeria leads in the number of unicorn startups — including Flutterwave and OPay — which continue to scale aggressively across Africa.
City-Specific Rankings and Insights
1. Lagos
- National Rank: 1st
- Global Rank: 76th (dropped 6 spots from 70th in 2024)
- Ecosystem Growth: 14.7% annually
- Score: 11.226
Insight: Lagos remains Africa’s most influential startup hub and Nigeria’s premier city, driven by its massive internal market estimated at over 200 million people (projected to reach 400 million by 2050). Despite falling from its previous global top 70 position, Lagos consolidates its status as Africa’s top city since 2021.
2. Abuja
- National Rank: 2nd
- Global Rank: 399th
- Ecosystem Growth: 50.3% annually
- Score: 0.946
Insight: Abuja exhibits remarkable growth, over 50% annually, making it Nigeria’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem and the only Nigerian city to break into the global top 400. Its burgeoning ecosystem indicates rapid development and increasing entrepreneurial activity.
3. Ibadan
- National Rank: 3rd
- Global Rank: 482nd
- Ecosystem Growth: 0.2%
- Score: 0.609
Insight: As Nigeria’s third-largest ecosystem, Ibadan’s modest growth suggests room for expansion, but it remains an important player driven by local talent and universities.
4. Enugu
- National Rank: 4th
- Global Rank: 730th
- Ecosystem Growth: 4.8%
- Score: 0.261
Insight: Enugu’s ecosystem is growing steadily. Its position highlights its emerging status as a tech hub within Nigeria’s eastern region.
5. Port Harcourt
- National Rank: 5th
- Global Rank: 803rd
- Ecosystem Growth: 6.3%
- Score: 0.216
Insight: Port Harcourt is steadily gaining momentum as an oil and gas hub transitioning into a tech startup ecosystem, contributing to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
6. Ilorin
- National Rank: 6th
- Global Rank: 885th
- Score: 0.177
Insight: New to the list, Ilorin’s position signals emerging entrepreneurial activity within the state.
7. Kano
- National Rank: 7th
- Global Rank: 1120th
- Ecosystem Decline: 34.1%
- Score: 0.104
Insight: Kano’s ecosystem has declined significantly, reflecting challenges but also potential for revitalization.
8. Kaduna
- National Rank: 8th
- Global Rank: 1207th
- Total Score: 0.090
Insight: Kaduna’s position indicates its emerging startup activity, though it remains modest compared to Nigeria’s leading hubs. As a nascent ecosystem, Kaduna may have growth opportunities especially through investment in infrastructure and talent development.
9. Nguru (Yobe State)
- National Rank: 9th
- Global Rank: 1241st
- Total Score: 0.080
Insight: Nguru’s presence on the list is notable as a less prominent location. Its inclusion signals increasing awareness and activity of startups in remote or underserved regions, aided by government initiatives and local innovation efforts.
10. Benin City
- National Rank: 10th
- Global Rank: 1250th
- Ecosystem Growth: 30.2%
- Total Score: 0.070
Insight: Benin City’s position as the tenth-ranked Nigerian city demonstrates growing entrepreneurial activity, possibly driven by local universities, government support, and emerging tech initiatives in the Edo State region.
Overall Trends and Analysis
- Dominance of Lagos and Abuja: Lagos continues to be Africa’s leading startup hub, with robust ecosystem growth and a large market size, although it experienced a slight global ranking decline. Abuja’s rapid growth at over 50% annually positions it as an emerging center for innovation.
- Regional Diversification: Cities like Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Kaduna, Nguru, and Benin City showcase Nigeria’s emerging regional startup ecosystems, signaling diversification beyond Lagos and Abuja.
- Declines and Challenges: Despite Nigeria’s persistent regional dominance, the overall national ranking slipped from 64th to 66th, with a dip in ecosystem growth below 6%, underscoring the need for sustained investment, infrastructure, and policy support.
Nigeria’s Position in Africa and Globally
- Regional Leadership: Nigeria remains Africa’s top startup ecosystem, with six cities in the continent’s top ten.
- Global Standing: Lagos is the only Nigerian city in the top 100 globally, at 76th, but it slipped after entering the top 70 in 2024. Other Nigerian cities range from the 399th (Abuja) to beyond the 1200th mark, reflecting both opportunities and the challenges of scaling ecosystems.
While Nigeria’s startup ecosystem faces some declines in rankings and slower growth rates relative to previous years, the country remains a key player in Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. Lagos continues to be a dominant force, driven by a population of over 200 million and a vibrant, dynamic startup scene. The emergence of other cities such as Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt highlights the country’s geographic and economic diversification.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s successful startups like Flutterwave and OPay exemplify the country’s potential to produce unicorns that influence the wider African market. Continued investment, infrastructure development, support for regional hubs, and policy reforms are vital to reverse declines and accelerate growth — keeping Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s innovation narrative.
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