Inside GITEX NIGERIA 2025: What to Expect From Africa’s Biggest Tech Event
If you’re interested in topics such as AI, cloud services & infrastructure, fintech, 5G, data governance, startup growth, and the future of work, tune in to our coverage.
Are you a technology professional, a startup founder, or someone who loves a new tech coming out of Africa? There’s one place you need to turn your attention to this week: GITEX NIGERIA 2025.
For the first time, the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) event, one of the world’s biggest technology exhibitions, is finally making its debut in Nigeria this week.
Techloy will bring you updates live from the event, with Emmanuel in Abuja and Kelechi and Oluwaseun at the Lagos events. But first, let’s get see what you can expect.
Over the next four days, starting September 1 to September 4, global and local tech giants, African innovators, policymakers, investors, and startups, will meet to explore how technology can unlock the continent’s trillion-dollar digital economy ambition.
If you’re interested in topics such as AI, cloud services & infrastructure, fintech, 5G, data governance, startup growth, and the future of work, tune in to our coverage.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from GITEX NIGERIA 2025.
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AI Strategies for Governance, Innovation, and Economic Growth
The GITEX NIGERIA event kicks off in Abuja on September 1 with discussions on how to improve Nigeria's digital infrastructure. Artificial intelligence will take centre stage, not as a buzzword but as a roadmap for Africa’s digital future.
Expect high-level panels on data sovereignty and infrastructure, exploring how to build distributed regional data centres and harmonise governance frameworks across 54 nations. Fireside chats will look at Africa’s leapfrog potential through the convergence of AI, 5G, and cloud computing, while exclusive sessions like Meta’s invite-only roundtable will tackle open-source AI, policy development, and public-sector innovation.
The lineup features an influential mix of voices: Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG of NITDA; Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group; Dr. Oluwatobi Olabiyi, Director of Engineering at NVIDIA; and Lucia Russo of the OECD, among others.
With support from global players like Microsoft, AWS, and IBM alongside African policymakers, researchers, and investors, the sessions will link policy with practice, covering everything from AI-powered public service innovation to investment models like African innovation bonds.
The AI program concludes with the unveiling of a continental roadmap for shared AI infrastructure, a framework designed to guide technical standards, research collaboration, and cross-border policy over the next two years.
From here, the event moves to Lagos.
Africa’s Stage for Startups, Disruption, and Discovery
In Lagos, there are two events happening in two location — the Startup Festival at the Landmark Centre — expected to be Nigeria’s largest gathering of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders, while the Tech Expo at the Eko Hotel will be the flagship showcase of GITEX NIGERIA, spotlighting enterprise innovation and the future economy.
Designed as a launchpad for Africa’s next generation of disruptors, the Startup Festival will focus on fast-growing verticals like fintech, healthtech, agritech, AI, cloud, e-commerce, and cybersecurity. With over 1,000 startups and 300 investors expected, the festival combines high-energy pitches with deep-dive conversations on what it really takes to scale in African markets.
It will feature a fireside chat with Ato Bentsi-Enchill, Tosin Faniro-Dada, Oluwakemi Olajide, and Brian Waswani Odhiambo, who will set the tone for the conversations ahead.
Soon after, the Discovery Zone Pitch Fest takes over, where founders will get just minutes to pitch their boldest ideas with live feedback, audience votes, and plenty of unpredictable twists.
The discussions will then move into what LPs want to see, with Precious Oyelade and Abraham Durosawo unpacking shifts in governance and strategy. Later, William Bao Bean, Ashley Lewis, Gbite Oduneye, and Olu Oyinsan will talk about how African VCs are moving from micro funds to institutional platforms.
By the afternoon, the spotlight shifts to the pre-seed hustle with founders like Femi Aluko, joined by investors Anil Atmaramani and Kristin H. Wilson, who will share what it really takes to move from idea to investable. Blended finance also gets attention with Meghan McCormick and Yehia Houry on stage.
Closing the day is a fireside chat on building AI ecosystems with Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, Francis Sani, and Fatima Tambajang.
On the other hand, the Tech Expo will serve as the meeting point for policymakers, investors, and global tech giants alongside African entrepreneurs. Expect to see over 100 exhibitors and global brands like Nvidia unveiling solutions in AI, 5G, cloud, cybersecurity, and creative tech, all positioned as engines for Africa’s trillion-dollar digital ambition.
Obi Asika will open the stage with insights on the creative economy, followed by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi and Dahlia Khalifa leading a panel on how Africa can align policy, capital, and innovation.
The spotlight then shifts to creators, with Jennifer Okeke-Ojiudu, Dayo Elegbe, and Yinka Obebe exploring how AI can reshape the creative space. Later in the day, Hon. Bosun Tijani will sit down with Iyin Aboyeji and Olu Olufemi-White for a debate on smarter governance and data-driven systems.
Connectivity will also be in focus, with Eniola Mafe-Abaga and Martin Kaufmann discussing the next wave of infrastructure across West Africa. The event wraps with the IFC panel on operational excellence, tackling how startups can scale without losing their culture or focus. Other Big companies like NVIDIA, IBM, Cisco, MTN, and AWS are expected at the event.
Conclusion
GITEX in Nigeria is more than panels and pitches; it reflects where African innovation is right now and the direction it’s moving. From reshaping venture capital to expanding creative industries and digital infrastructure, the conversations keep circling back to one idea: a mix of resilience and ambition. If you’re a founder, investor, or policy shaper, this year’s event is designed to leave you with sharper insights and stronger connections for the journey ahead.
