Nigeria’s fast-rising technology ecosystem took centre stage at the debut of GITEX Nigeria, with Ms. Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre and Chief Executive Officer of KAOUN, hailing the country as “a global beacon of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial grit.”
Delivering the keynote at the opening ceremony of the Lagos edition of GITEX Nigeria, LohMirmand said Nigeria’s innovation model is distinct from those of developed economies, as it is powered less by capital and more by necessity.
“Nigeria does not follow the same rules as Silicon Valley or other developed economies,” she remarked. “While other economies innovate because they want to, here, startups innovate because they must. It is survival. And that is why they scale faster and endure longer.”
She noted that Nigeria’s hosting of the global technology showcase was historic, attracting more than 650 startups, 200 investors, and participants from over 40 countries. To her, the scale of participation underscored Lagos’ growing influence as a global tech epicentre.
Describing Lagos as more than just a city, LohMirmand called it a “mega high-speed test bed for technology.” She added: “If your product survives Lagos, it can thrive anywhere in the world,” emphasising the city’s unique role as a proving ground for innovation.
She also commended the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for its central role in hosting the event. “From day one, NITDA has been a staunch partner. Their commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and building infrastructure is not just institutional—it’s inspirational,” she said.
Her speech struck a chord with attendees who have watched Nigeria’s tech sector rise from the periphery to the global stage. According to her, Nigeria has not merely joined the league of emerging tech hubs but has “leapfrogged past cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, and São Paulo.”
Even as she celebrated the progress, LohMirmand cautioned startups against measuring success solely by immediate funding outcomes. “This is not a sprint, it is a marathon,” she said. “Many startups won’t walk away with funding today. But they will walk away with something more valuable such as insight, connection, and the understanding of what it takes to build for the world.”
The conference was officially declared open by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who framed the gathering as a rallying cry for a new era of opportunity.
For LohMirmand, GITEX Nigeria is not just another event but a movement. “A movement that demonstrates to the world that Nigeria is ready, Lagos is leading, and the future economy is now,” she emphasised.
Backed by a government that views digitisation as a necessity rather than a luxury, she said the momentum behind Nigeria’s digital economy is “unstoppable.”
“The future isn’t coming, it is already here, and it is proudly Nigerian,” LohMirmand concluded, as the event painted a bold picture of Nigeria as Africa’s premier investment destination, powered by strategic infrastructure, a thriving digital economy, and a creative sector competing with global giants.