By Our Correspondent
Nigeria has the potential to lead Africa’s digital and creative transformation, according to Ambassador Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, who spoke at the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos.
Addressing participants at the opening of the summit, Ambassador Mignot said Nigeria’s youthful population, entrepreneurial drive and expanding innovation ecosystem provide a strong platform for digital transformation, innovation and economic growth.
He described the digital and creative economy as a major opportunity for the country, noting that young Nigerians are especially well placed to drive innovation because they belong to a generation that has grown up using digital technologies.
“The new economy, digital and creative, offers a fantastic opportunity,” he said.
The summit brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, investors, creatives and development partners from across Africa and beyond to examine how technology, innovation and collaboration can accelerate economic growth and create opportunities for young people.
Ambassador Mignot said the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as key priorities in their partnership and highlighted ongoing investments aimed at advancing the country’s digital transformation.
“In Nigeria, the EU supports the entire digital value chain, from governance to infrastructure, from skills to entrepreneurship,” he said.
He cited several initiatives, including a recently signed €45 million agreement between the European Union and Nigeria on digital development, support for the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure nationwide, contributions to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda and backing for the Three Million Technical Talent initiative.
The Ambassador also highlighted programmes promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and skills development, including the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ. The programme supports digital innovation, entrepreneurship and technology adoption among young Nigerians and businesses.
He further referenced the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, which helps young graduates gain workplace experience and access employment opportunities.
German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, stressed the importance of collaboration in shaping the future.
“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.
She described Nigeria as home to one of Africa’s most vibrant innovation ecosystems, noting that Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly influencing global trends in areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, agribusiness, health innovation, manufacturing and the creative sector.
“Nigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,” she added.
Ambassador Mignot said one of the key strengths of Omniverse Africa lies in its ability to bring together the entire innovation ecosystem under one roof.
“Policymakers, founders, investors, creatives, researchers, development partners and business leaders are all here, all together,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s digital future cannot be built in isolation, as technology, creative industries, finance, education, manufacturing, agriculture and public services are increasingly interconnected.
According to him, the summit offers an opportunity to turn discussions into partnerships and ideas into practical solutions that can drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
“The future is connected, but connection must be turned into impact,” Ambassador Mignot said.
“Let us connect innovators with investors, policy with practice, creativity with technology, and Nigerian talent with global opportunities.”
The summit featured sessions on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, green technology, future skills, research collaboration and innovation financing, underscoring the growing importance of partnerships in shaping Africa’s economic future.
The European Union partnered with Omniverse Africa as part of its broader commitment to supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and youth opportunities in Nigeria and across Africa.
