Nigeria Poised to Lead Africa’s Digital Revolution, EU Ambassador Declares

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, , has said Nigeria possesses the talent, innovation capacity and entrepreneurial drive required to lead Africa’s digital and creative transformation.

Mignot made the assertion while speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, where he highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in the continent’s digital economy.

According to him, the country’s youthful population, expanding innovation ecosystem and vibrant entrepreneurial culture provide a strong foundation for technology-driven growth and economic development.

“The new economy, digital and creative, offers a fantastic opportunity,” Mignot said, noting that young Nigerians are particularly well positioned to drive innovation because they have grown up in a technology-enabled environment.

The summit attracted innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, researchers, creatives and development partners from across Africa and beyond to discuss how technology and collaboration can unlock economic opportunities and accelerate inclusive growth.

EU investing in Nigeria’s digital future

The ambassador said the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as key pillars of their bilateral partnership and are implementing programmes aimed at strengthening the country’s digital economy.

He disclosed that the EU recently signed a €45 million digital development agreement with Nigeria and is supporting the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country.

Mignot also highlighted the EU’s support for Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda and the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

According to him, the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, jointly funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ, is helping young Nigerians and businesses adopt digital technologies, drive innovation and build entrepreneurial capacity.

He further cited the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Federal Government, as a critical initiative connecting young graduates with workplace experience and employment opportunities.

Also speaking at the summit, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation hubs, noting that Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly influencing global trends in sectors such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, agribusiness, manufacturing and the creative industry.

“Nigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,” she said.

Mignot stressed that one of the strengths of the Omniverse Africa Summit is its ability to bring together policymakers, innovators, investors, researchers, creatives and business leaders under one platform.

He noted that the convergence of technology, finance, education, manufacturing, agriculture and public services is creating new opportunities for innovation-driven growth.

“The future is connected, but connection must be turned into impact,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to leverage partnerships to connect innovators with investors, align policy with practical implementation and create pathways for Nigerian talent to access global opportunities.

The summit featured discussions on artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, innovation financing, green technology, future skills development and research collaboration, underscoring the growing importance of digital transformation in shaping Africa’s economic future.

The European Union partnered with Omniverse Africa as part of its broader commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and digital transformation across Nigeria and the African continent.