Startup Week 2025: Reflecting on a decade of influencing growth through conversations

As Nigeria’s tech ecosystem continues to thrive, Lagos Startup Week 2025, themed “Disrupting the Next Decade,” is set to ignite the next wave of innovation at the Civic Centre in Lagos.

Organised by Prime Startups, the event celebrates a decade of transforming fledgling ventures into sustainable, job-creating enterprises, reinforcing Lagos’s position as the heartbeat of African tech.

At a recent media parley held at the UNDP Innovation Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, key stakeholders, including Prime Startups, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), and private sector partners like Carbon and InDrive, shared insights on their mission to scale African startups into global powerhouses.

Reflecting on a decade of impact, Olumide Olayinka, co-founder of Lagos Startup Week and Partner at Prime Startups, highlighted the evolution of Nigeria’s startup landscape.

“When we started ten years ago, the ecosystem was just taking shape. Today, we’ve helped nurture countless ventures into market leaders,” Olayinka said.

“Our theme, ‘Disrupting the Nexus,’ reflects how Lagos has become a hub for innovation and our commitment to shaping the next decade by turning brilliant ideas into commercially viable businesses.”

Prime Startups’ philosophy goes beyond launching startups; it focuses on building resilient companies that create jobs, expand markets, and attract significant investment, contributing to Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic growth.

The Lagos State Government, represented by Sinari Daranijo, a Board of Trustees member of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), emphasised its role in fostering an innovation-driven economy.

“We’re not just supporting startups; we’re building a sustainable ecosystem,” Daranijo stated.

Through the Lagos Innovates program, LSETF has provided over 750 workspace vouchers and supported more than 240 startups, enabling entrepreneurs to scale their operations and create thousands of jobs across sectors like customer service and operations. These efforts have a ripple effect, empowering young Nigerians and boosting regional GDP through inclusive growth.

Private sector partners echoed this commitment to scalability and innovation.

Nnenna Onyebuchi, Head of Marketing at Carbon, a leading Nigerian fintech, underscored the role of technology in overcoming startup challenges. “As one of Nigeria’s first fintech entities, we know the hurdles entrepreneurs face. Our AI-driven solutions help startups build faster and smarter, ensuring they can compete in a dynamic market,” Onyebuchi said.

Carbon’s partnership with Lagos Startup Week reflects its dedication to empowering businesses with cutting-edge financial tools.

Gender inclusion was a key focus at the media parley, with Dimeji Timothy, Country Manager for InDrive, praising the event’s efforts to promote diversity. He noted that Nigeria accounted for 21 out of the top 120 finalists for the Aurora Tech Award, which supports female founders.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a key supporter of Lagos Startup Week, highlighted the transformative potential of digital innovation. A representative from UNDP’s Innovation Centre noted, “The evolving digital landscape is reshaping development work, and Lagos Startup Week is at the forefront of this change.”

Prime Startups’ decade-long mission has been to move beyond the “startup” phase, guiding ventures toward commercial success and global competitiveness. Their approach includes founder support, cross-border partnerships, and strategic policy engagement to ensure financial viability and market access. “We get excited about innovative ideas, but we’re passionate about the commercial success that follows,” Olayinka said. “Every job created, every market expanded, and every dollar raised is a testament to African entrepreneurship’s potential.”

Lagos Startup Week 2025 will feature workshops, panels, and networking sessions designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive in a global market. The event also serves as a moment to reflect on Nigeria’s tech journey and envision a future where African innovation leads on the world stage.

To learn more about Prime Startups’ unique approach and the companies they champion, visit: www.lagosstartupweek.com.