GITEX Lagos 2025: The Deals, the Drama, and the Digital Ambition

When GITEX Lagos 2025 landed this September, the city wasn’t trying to play host; it was trying to make a point. For two days, Eko Hotel and Landmark Centre became the stage where government officials, global tech firms, and more than a thousand startups declared their visions for Africa’s digital economy. The air buzzed with optimism, but beneath the pitch decks and keynote speeches, a bigger question lingered: can Nigeria turn ambition into execution?

The Political Theatre

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu told the audience that Lagos is “Africa’s innovation nerve centre”, linking the city’s digital ambitions to Nigeria’s much-publicized $1 trillion economy target by 2030. His remarks carried the confidence of a leader who knows Lagos has become the continent’s testing ground for fintech, mobility, and digital culture.

Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, added a sharper edge. His warning was clear: the digital economy isn’t about apps for urban elites. It’s about whether technology can make agriculture more efficient, energy more reliable, and governance less chaotic. That framing struck a chord because it acknowledged the elephant in the room. Nigeria’s tech future won’t be built on hype alone.

These political speeches weren’t just ceremonial. They served as a reminder that Nigeria’s leaders see the digital economy as central to the country’s economic survival, not a side note.

On the Expo Floor

Cybersecurity dominated. Dozens of booths pitched data protection, cloud security, and identity solutions, signaling just how pressing cyber threats have become for Nigerian businesses. With banks, telecoms, and even government agencies facing constant attacks, exhibitors found an eager audience.

AMD vs NVIDIA. AMD arrived like a company hungry for the African market. Partnering with XFX, it showcased the Radeon AI Pro R9700 and Ryzen 9 CPUs, courting both enterprise and creative industries. NVIDIA, by contrast, played it safe with the RTX 4090 , still powerful, but not their latest tech. The contrast wasn’t lost on attendees, many of whom felt AMD looked more aggressive about West Africa’s AI and GPU market than its rival.

MTN’s reinvention. The telecom giant rolled out its Ikeja data centre and FibreX internet, a not-so-subtle attempt to shift its identity from a telco into the digital backbone of Nigeria’s economy. For startups, MTN’s message was clear: they don’t just want to sell SIM cards, they want to host your cloud infrastructure.

Robotics cameo. NIPSS brought robot prototypes to the floor, proof that Nigerian tech ambition isn’t confined to code. The demos weren’t groundbreaking, but they sparked conversation about where automation and robotics might fit in the country’s future.

The Expo had the polished feel of a global trade show, but also the rough edges of a market still figuring out what it really needs.

The Startup Frenzy

If the Expo was corporate theatre, the Startup Festival at Landmark Centre was pure hustle. Over a thousand founders pitched everything from agritech platforms to healthtech apps, hoping to catch the attention of 300 investors managing more than $200 billion in capital.

The energy was electric, but so was the pressure. For many startups, this was the first time facing institutional investors in person. Conversations were no longer about seed funding but about scaling beyond Nigeria, building governance structures, and surviving long enough to reach Series A.

A few sectors stood out:

• Agritech. Startups promised to cut Nigeria’s food import bill by using AI-driven yield predictions, drone mapping, and smarter logistics for smallholder farmers. In a country that spends billions importing food, these ideas hit home.

• Healthtech. Solutions ranged from AI-driven diagnostics for rural clinics to digital health records designed for Nigerian hospitals that still rely on paper. Several pitches highlighted how mobile health apps could bridge gaps in underserved regions.

• Green energy. With Lagos and Abuja plagued by blackouts, startups pushing solar microgrids and battery storage solutions drew serious investor interest. Energy remains one of Nigeria’s biggest bottlenecks, and the pitches reflected that urgency.

• Fintech. While fintech isn’t new, founders were no longer selling just payment apps. The pitches leaned toward credit access, B2B financial infrastructure, and cross-border transaction tools.

What was clear is that the startup scene is maturing. The flashy, consumer-only pitches are giving way to more grounded solutions tied to Nigeria’s structural problems.

The Investor Mood

The investor presence was significant, but it came with caution. Venture capital in Africa has slowed compared to the highs of 2021–22, and investors are more selective. Many spoke openly about the need for startups to build not just user bases but revenue models.

One panel noted that while Lagos has produced unicorns, the ecosystem outside the city remains underfunded. Investors were urged to look beyond the obvious hubs, into Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Kano, where tech talent exists but rarely receives capital.

The mood wasn’t pessimistic, it was sober but optimistic. There is money available, but startups must demonstrate stronger business fundamentals to access it.

The Future Economy Conference

The conference sessions tried to stretch the conversation beyond immediate deals. Panels debated AI in governance, the promise of agritech, and new energy models for African cities.

• AI in governance. Speakers explored how artificial intelligence could streamline city planning and transport, though concerns about data privacy and regulation loomed large.

• Food security. Agritech founders argued their tools could cut imports dramatically, but admitted scaling solutions to rural farmers remains a logistical nightmare.

• Smart energy. Panels showcased alternative energy grids, but raised questions about whether Nigeria’s policy framework supports renewable adoption at scale.

• Inclusive investment. The sharpest debates came here, with VCs and policymakers pressed to rethink how tech investment in Nigeria is distributed. With most funding concentrated in Lagos and Abuja, other regions risk being left behind.

The sessions reflected a balance of optimism and realism. Everyone agreed Nigeria has the talent and market size. The challenge is scaling solutions in a country where infrastructure, regulation, and political risk remain obstacles.

The Takeaway

GITEX Lagos 2025 was more than an event, it was a test. Could Nigeria host a world-class tech gathering and use it to prove its relevance on the global stage? The answer is yes, but with caveats.

• Nigeria showed ambition. The government wants tech at the heart of its growth story.

• Corporates showed intent. AMD and MTN weren’t just showing off hardware and fibre; they were signaling strategic bets.

• Startups showed hustle. The ecosystem is maturing, even if many founders are still figuring out scale.

• Investors showed caution. Money is on the table, but it won’t flow without stronger business fundamentals.

The Road Ahead

Despite the momentum, challenges remain. Nigeria must strengthen broadband infrastructure, enforce reliable regulations, and address insecurity that often discourages global investors. Funding gaps also persist, especially for startups beyond early-stage rounds.

Still, GITEX Lagos made one thing clear: Nigeria has both the ambition and the talent to lead Africa’s digital future. If the commitments and connections forged during these two days translate into long-term action, Lagos could truly live up to its self-declared role as the continent’s innovation nerve centre.

In the end, GITEX Lagos 2025 wasn’t just about flashy booths or ambitious speeches. It was about Nigeria trying to claim its place in the global digital economy. Whether it succeeds will depend on what happens long after the last booth is packed up. For now, the city has shown that it can host the conversation. The harder part will be proving it can deliver on the promises.