Africa’s path to a sustainable and innovation-led future took center stage at the 10th Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) in Lagos, where policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs converged to chart strategies for long-term, inclusive growth across the continent.
Speaking at the milestone event, Tony Ajah, Programme Director of the Nigeria Innovation Summit, emphasized the need for innovation to evolve beyond novelty toward creating meaningful, lasting impact.
“Innovation must extend beyond new ideas and novelty; it must focus on what is sustainable,” Ajah said. “As we celebrate a decade of driving conversations that inspire action and shape the future of innovation in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, our commitment remains to build systems that deliver long-term impact and inclusive growth.”
Sponsored by Bank of New Innovation Limited and eHealth Africa, the summit convened a diverse network of stakeholders, from policymakers and investors to entrepreneurs and academics to co-create strategies for a sustainable, innovation-driven economy.
In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Tunbosun Alake, highlighted the state’s pioneering initiatives, including Nigeria’s first sub-sovereign innovation fund, which has supported more than 70 startups. He noted that these efforts have positioned Lagos at the forefront of technological advancement in the country.
Other distinguished speakers included Chinyere Almona, Director General and CEO of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prof. Michelle Lane Messina, CEO of Explora International LLC, and Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder and CEO of Rise Networks & Rise Interactive Studios Africa.
Panel sessions explored critical themes shaping Africa’s innovation ecosystem, including digital solutions for sustainable transformation, building sustainable solutions for impact, and EdTech for inclusion.
With more than 1,500 in-person and virtual participants, the 2025 Nigeria Innovation Summit reaffirmed its position as a leading platform for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and actionable solutions that drive sustainable innovation across Africa.
As the summit concluded, participants underscored one resounding message: Africa’s future depends on innovation that endures, innovation that is sustainable, inclusive, and transformative.
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