By BONIFACE AKARAH

Lagos yesterday (Wednesday, September 2, 2026) became the centre of a renewed push to shape Africa's digital future as technology companies, government policymakers, investors and startups converged for the opening of the Lagos edition of GITEX Nigeria 2026.

The event moved to Nigeria's commercial capital after Monday's Government Leadership and AI Summit in Abuja, bringing together players in technology and investment for two days of product showcases, innovation and discussions on Africa's place in the global intelligence economy.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the state's ambition was to build on its position as Nigeria's commercial centre and emerge as Africa's innovation capital.

“GITEX NIGERIA is here because Lagos is consequential. What happens in this city sets the direction for a continent of around 1.4 billion people. That’s exactly why the conversation about Africa’s future economy belongs here in Lagos,” Hamzat said.

“The ambition of the Lagos State Government is very clear: we want Lagos recognised not only as Nigeria’s commercial capital, but as Africa’s innovation capital. A position like that cannot be declared; it has to be earned through infrastructure, talent, policy, and execution.”

The organisers said Lagos has emerged as one of Africa's leading technology hubs, with almost 1,000 active startups and a rapidly growing enterprise ecosystem.

Also speaking, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, called for an African digital transformation built around the continent's own needs rather than dependence on systems developed elsewhere.

“Africa should not simply import digital infrastructure systems developed for other countries outside of the continent. We possess the talent, innovation, and technical expertise required to shape our own digital transformation and ensure that it serves our integration and development objectives,” Mene said.

“We must act now; we can connect Africa’s innovation to a single digital continental market in which the African private sector can operate, transact, and expand across borders, converting digital innovation into commercially meaningful trade.”

Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said Nigeria must deliberately create an environment that allows its young population to build solutions for the emerging digital economy.

“As a nation, we need to be intentional if we want to be an active participant in this economy. We also have real-world problems that need innovative solutions. Therefore, we need to create the enabling environment for our young, talented people to innovate and create the digital offerings for the future economy,” he said.

“We are looking at our data sovereignty, our cloud sovereignty, our operational sovereignty, and our AI sovereignty. We don’t want to be at the receiving end of technology; we want to be an active builder of the technology.”

The inauguration also spotlighted Nigeria's efforts to strengthen digital identity, interoperability, data protection and cybersecurity following the signing of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, stressed that trust must remain at the heart of Africa's growing digital economy.

“Connection without trust breeds vulnerability. When trust is embedded into the framework, onboarding becomes effortless, paperwork vanishes, and cross-border trade accelerates,” she said.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area promises the world’s largest integrated market, but trade today goes through digital channels. Contracts must be signed, credentials verified, and payments authenticated seamlessly across jurisdictions.”

More than 400 exhibiting companies and startups are participating in the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo, alongside thousands of visitors and over 200 investors collectively managing about $200 billion in assets.

Chief Executive Officer of GITEX, Trixie LohMirmand, said the event was designed to connect Nigerian and African innovators with global knowledge, networks, partnerships and investment opportunities.

“GITEX NIGERIA is here to create vital connections that enable Nigerian and African innovators to take their technologies and ideas to the world while accessing knowledge, networks, international partnerships, and opportunities,” she said.

“Nigeria has the scale; Lagos has the ambition and energy. We aim to grow collectively and put Africa at the top – not just as a consumer of AI, but as a globally competitive producer.”

The Lagos programme, which runs from September 2 to 3, marks the second phase of GITEX Nigeria 2026 after the Abuja summit, as Nigeria and other African stakeholders push for a stronger role in building the technologies expected to shape the future economy.