Nigeria poised to drive Africa's tech and cultural industries, says European Union envoy

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Nigeria is well-positioned to lead Africa’s digital and creative economy, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has said, citing the country’s youthful population, entrepreneurial spirit and expanding innovation ecosystem as key drivers of future growth, according to a statement by the EU delegation on Friday.

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Mignot spoke at the opening of the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, where he urged stakeholders across government, business and the development sector to strengthen partnerships that can unlock opportunities for young people and accelerate economic transformation.

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According to him, the digital and creative economy presents one of the greatest opportunities for Nigeria to diversify its economy, create jobs and drive inclusive growth.

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“The new economy, digital and creative, offers a fantastic opportunity,” Mignot said.

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He noted that young Nigerians are uniquely positioned to lead innovation because they belong to a generation that has grown up with digital technologies and is increasingly developing solutions with global relevance.

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The ambassador said the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as strategic priorities within their partnership, stressing that the EU is investing across the country’s digital ecosystem.

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“In Nigeria, the EU supports the entire digital value chain, from governance to infrastructure, from skills to entrepreneurship,” he said.

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Mignot highlighted a recently signed €45 million agreement between the European Union and Nigeria on digital development, alongside support for the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country.

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He also cited the EU’s contribution to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda and its support for the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent initiative, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with globally competitive digital skills.

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The ambassador further pointed to programmes promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, including the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, which is co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ.

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According to him, the initiative supports digital innovation, entrepreneurship and technology adoption among young Nigerians and businesses.

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Mignot also highlighted the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Federal Government, which helps young graduates gain workplace experience and improve their employability.

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He said one of the strengths of the Omniverse Africa Summit is its ability to bring together policymakers, founders, investors, creatives, researchers, development partners and business leaders under one roof.

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“Because Nigeria’s digital future will not be built in silos. Technology, creative industries, finance, education, manufacturing, agriculture and public services are no longer separate worlds. They are converging,” he said.

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Also speaking at the summit, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most vibrant innovation ecosystems and said local entrepreneurs are increasingly shaping global trends.

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“The future will not be built in silos. It will be built through cooperation across sectors, institutions and borders. The future will be connected,” she said.

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Günther said Nigerian innovators are making significant strides in areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, agribusiness, healthcare, manufacturing and the creative industries.

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“Nigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,” she added.

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Mignot urged participants at the summit to translate ideas into practical solutions and partnerships capable of delivering sustainable and inclusive growth.

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“The future is connected, but connection must be turned into impact,” he said.

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“Let us connect innovators with investors, policy with practice, creativity with technology, and Nigerian talent with global opportunities.”

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The summit featured discussions on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, green technology, future skills, research collaboration and innovation financing, highlighting the growing role of innovation and partnerships in shaping Africa’s economic future.

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Nigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s leading technology and innovation hubs, driven by a large youth population, rising internet penetration and a fast-growing startup ecosystem. The country is home to some of the continent’s biggest technology companies and has consistently ranked among Africa’s top destinations for venture capital investment.

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In recent years, the Federal Government has intensified efforts to expand broadband access, strengthen digital infrastructure and build technical skills through initiatives such as the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. The digital and creative economy has been identified as a major pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy, with policymakers projecting that the sector will play an increasingly important role in job creation and long-term economic growth.

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The European Union has also expanded its support for Nigeria under its Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on investments in digital transformation, education, infrastructure and sustainable development across partner countries.

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