Nigeria is well positioned to lead Africa’s digital and creative transformation, according to Ambassador Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
Speaking at the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, Ambassador Mignot said Nigeria’s youthful population, entrepreneurial energy, and expanding innovation ecosystem provide a strong foundation for digital transformation, innovation, and economic growth.
“The new economy, digital and creative, offers a fantastic opportunity,” he said, noting that young Nigerians are uniquely positioned to drive innovation because they belong to a generation that has grown up with digital tools and technologies.
The summit brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, investors, creatives, and development partners from across Africa and beyond to explore how technology, innovation, and collaboration can accelerate economic growth and create opportunities for young people.
Ambassador Mignot stated that the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as strategic priorities within their partnership and highlighted ongoing investments aimed at supporting the country’s digital transformation.
“In Nigeria, the EU supports the entire digital value chain, from governance to infrastructure, and from skills development to entrepreneurship,” he said.
He highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including a recently signed €45 million agreement between the European Union and Nigeria on digital development, support for the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country, contributions to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda, and support for the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative.
The ambassador also pointed to programmes supporting 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 promotes digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology adoption among young Nigerians and businesses.
He further highlighted 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 of Nigeria. The initiative helps connect young graduates with workplace opportunities and practical experience.
Also speaking at the summit, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, emphasized 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 dynamic innovation ecosystems and noted that Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly shaping global trends in areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, agribusiness, health innovation, manufacturing, and the creative industries.
“Nigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,” she added.
Ambassador Mignot noted that one of the key strengths of the Omniverse Africa Summit is 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.
According to him, Nigeria’s digital future cannot be built in isolation, as technology, creative industries, finance, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and public services are increasingly interconnected.
He said the summit provides a platform for transforming conversations 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 discussions 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 empowerment in Nigeria and across the continent.
