Lagos State is intensifying its efforts to attract foreign technology investments by leveraging the two-day GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference to engage global companies focused on engineering operations, data centers, and regional headquarters.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat representing him, stated that the conference's theme, “Beyond Connectivity: The Bridge to Sovereign AI and Innovation,” highlights the state’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation. He urged foreign tech firms to create training programs and establish operations in Lagos, recommending they view the city as a launchpad for their ventures into Africa rather than just a consumer market.

The government aims to transform Lagos from a net exporter of tech talent to a location where international companies can develop and scale solutions. This initiative is linked to the ongoing efforts on the state’s forthcoming Innovation Bill, designed to formalize collaborations between universities and industries, ensuring shared ownership of intellectual property that arises. Additionally, officials challenged local innovators to create digital solutions that can compete on a global scale, rather than focusing solely on the domestic market.

This initiative is part of a larger trend of state and federal interactions with the technology sector this year, as Nigeria seeks to establish itself as a leading regional hub for digital investment amidst increasing competition from other African nations for foreign capital and talent.