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The Lagos State ‘Ready for Business’ Pavilion and Startup Pavilion are at the heart of international interests in Nigeria as GITEX Global, the world’s largest tech and startup show. enters its second day.
RELATED: Lagos State opens for business as GITEX GLOBAL, Dubai begins
“Investors are itching for down to earth information about government policies and economic direction in this post-election period; particularly as to its innovation and digital economy. Thankfully, Lagos is helping to provide some of those answers, says a senior federal government functionary inside the 2.7 million square feet of exhibition space of this year’s GITEX GLOBAL.
The 43rd edition of GITEX GLOBAL with 41 exhibition halls indicating a 35% increase over the previous year, is hosting leading technology giants and startups specialising in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, mobility, and sustainable tech among others.
With about 22 million people, “Lagos is a major African financial centre and is the economic hub of Lagos State and Nigeria at large. The city has been described as the cultural, financial, and entertainment capital of Africa, and is a significant influence on commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion. Lagos is also among the top ten of the world’s fastest-growing cities and urban areas,” to quote Wikipedia.
According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos remains committed to expanding the frontiers of development through partnerships and attracting investments; and sees GITEX GLOBAL as a veritable platform to explore partnerships in the realm of digital economy.
The Lagos delegation in GITEX GLOBAL is led by Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat. The delegation also includes the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake and senior members of the ministry.
The five-day event, beginning 16 to 20 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is hosting over 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from about 180 countries. GITEX GLOBAL is also hosting series of conferences across industry verticals and will feature more than 1,400 speakers through out the five days of the event.
Nigeria’s presence at GITEX GLOBAL includes delegation from Lagos State, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bank of Industry, NIPEX (NNPC); private companies including Uniccon Group of Companies, creators of Africa’s first humanoid robot; and a number of startups in excess of 20.
Highlight of GITEX GLOBAL is the global startup show, Expand North Star, which officially opened October 15 to close October 18 at the new Dubai Harbour venue hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. Expand North Star is featuring more than 1,800 startups from about 90 countries.
About 11 Nigerian startups have crossed the early stage of the Expand North Star Supernova led by startups from Lagos State, indicating a more robust showing for the Nigerian startup community.
Gitex Global “comprises 10 co-located shows: Gitex Global, Ai Everything, Gitex Impact, Future Urbanism, Global Devslam, Superbridge Summit Dubai, Expand North Star, Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.
