A Decade of Impact
Lagos Startup Week 2025 is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of ten years of transforming Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. Set to take place at the Civic Centre in Lagos, the week-long gathering, themed “Disrupting the Next Decade,” is being organized by Prime Startups. It marks a milestone in how Lagos has evolved into the heartbeat of African tech, helping early-stage startups grow into sustainable, job-creating companies.
Speaking at a media briefing at the UNDP Innovation Centre in Lagos, Olumide Olayinka, co-founder of Lagos Startup Week and Partner at Prime Startups, reflected on how far the ecosystem has come. “Ten years ago, the ecosystem was just taking shape. Today, we’ve helped nurture countless ventures into market leaders,” he said.
From Ideas to Impact
The core idea behind Lagos Startup Week is not just launching businesses — it’s building resilience. Prime Startups, along with partners like the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Carbon, and InDrive, has focused on scaling startups into high-impact companies.
Sinari Daranijo, representing LSETF, emphasized the government’s role in fostering an innovation-driven economy. Through the Lagos Innovates program, over 750 workspace vouchers have been distributed, and more than 240 startups supported. These efforts have directly led to job creation in sectors like customer service, tech, and logistics, contributing to inclusive economic growth.
Tech and Inclusion at the Forefront
Private sector voices echoed this focus on scalability and innovation. Nnenna Onyebuchi, Head of Marketing at fintech firm Carbon, highlighted how AI and financial tools can fast-track startup development. “We know the hurdles entrepreneurs face. Our AI-driven solutions help startups build faster and smarter,” she said. Carbon’s partnership with Lagos Startup Week reflects its mission to simplify and strengthen early business growth.
Another partner, InDrive, used the occasion to spotlight gender diversity in tech. Dimeji Timothy, the Country Manager, praised the event for supporting women-led startups, noting that Nigeria accounted for 21 of the top 120 global finalists in the Aurora Tech Award, a program celebrating female founders.
UNDP’s Global Perspective
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also lent its support, emphasizing the power of digital innovation in development. A spokesperson from the UNDP Innovation Centre noted how events like Lagos Startup Week drive systemic change: “The evolving digital landscape is reshaping development work, and Lagos is leading this shift.”
Prime Startups has consistently worked toward helping companies move beyond the “startup” phase. This means not just ideation, but cross-border partnerships, founder support, and real-world market access. As Olayinka summed it up, “We get excited about innovative ideas, but we’re passionate about the commercial success that follows.”
What’s Ahead
Lagos Startup Week 2025 will offer workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions aimed at arming entrepreneurs with practical tools to compete globally. It’s also a time to pause and reflect, on how far the ecosystem has come and where African innovation is headed.
