Lagos Startup Week Celebrates a Decade of African Innovation: What to Expect in July 2025

Lagos Startup Week (LSW), Africa’s largest and most influential gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors, is gearing up for its 10th anniversary this July 7–12, 2025. Under the inspiring theme “DND – Disrupting the Next Decade,” the event promises a dynamic week of activities across Lagos, culminating in a two-day main conference at the iconic Civic Centre. Over the past decade, Lagos Startup Week has transformed from a modest idea into a global platform where African innovation not only participates but leads. The 2025 edition will bring together over 5,000 attendees—including founders, investors, policymakers, and creatives—for high-impact networking, masterclasses, pitch competitions, and electrifying showcases of the continent’s most groundbreaking tech startups.

A Decade of Growth and Innovation in Lagos

Lagos Startup Week was founded in 2015 by Olumide Olayinka of Prime Startups with the bold vision to cultivate an ecosystem where African entrepreneurs could thrive. Since then, Lagos has cemented its position as one of Africa’s top startup hubs, consistently ranked among the continent’s most active cities for venture capital and innovation. Nigerian startups have collectively attracted more than \$3.5 billion in funding, spawning multiple unicorns such as Flutterwave, Interswitch, Jumia, OPay, and Moniepoint. The city’s ecosystem valuation has grown more than elevenfold since 2017, surpassing other global innovation hotspots like Istanbul and Pune.

The 2025 Lagos Startup Week event will shine a spotlight on Africa’s resilient founders who are reshaping entire narratives with their disruptive ideas. The conference will feature leading voices like Jason Njoku (IROKO), Ngozi Dozie (Carbon), Tosin Faniro-Dada (Breega), and others who represent the new wave of African tech pioneers. Past editions have seen appearances by global legends including Steve Case and Michael Seibel, alongside homegrown success stories like Paystack. With a lineup designed to inspire and a community eager to connect, Lagos Startup Week has become the epicenter for scaling Africa’s entrepreneurial ambitions.

What Undercode Say: The Significance of Lagos Startup Week’s Milestone

Lagos Startup Week’s 10th edition marks more than just a calendar event—it embodies the meteoric rise of African innovation and entrepreneurship on the world stage. This week-long celebration is a testament to how sustained ecosystem building can transform local economies and empower entrepreneurs to create global impact.

Over the past decade, Lagos has evolved from a nascent startup scene into a vibrant, multi-sectoral ecosystem characterized by diverse players: fintech startups leading funding rounds, tech accelerators fostering talent, investors scouting for the next big idea, and regulators adapting policies to support innovation. This holistic approach is essential for sustainable growth. The fact that Lagos now boasts five unicorn companies shows not only capital influx but also the quality of innovation and business acumen thriving there.

The event’s theme, “Disrupting the Next Decade,” reflects the challenges and opportunities that come with scaling startups in complex African markets. Unlike Silicon Valley, Africa’s ecosystem demands resilience, creative problem-solving, and adaptability to infrastructure and regulatory constraints. This creates a unique innovation environment where startups often build solutions tailored to real-world problems, such as financial inclusion, logistics, health tech, and digital identity.

The involvement of global heavyweights and local champions alike signals Lagos Startup Week’s growing influence in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial narrative. For founders, it is a platform to connect with capital and knowledge, while for investors, it offers a curated glimpse into Africa’s most promising ventures. Beyond networking, the event fuels policy conversations and collaborative initiatives critical for ecosystem maturation.

Prime Startups, the organizer, has played a pivotal role not just by hosting this flagship event but by continuously nurturing founders year-round. Their efforts in promoting cross-border partnerships and policy engagement ensure that the momentum generated during Lagos Startup Week sustains long after the conference ends.

As digital transformation accelerates globally, Lagos Startup Week stands as a barometer for how emerging markets will lead in defining future commerce, connectivity, and capital flows. This milestone edition in 2025 is poised to inspire a new generation of innovators ready to prototype Africa’s future.

🔍 Fact Checker Results

Lagos has attracted over \$3.5 billion in venture capital for startups ✅

Lagos currently has five unicorn companies ✅

Lagos Startup Week was founded in 2015 by Olumide Olayinka ✅

📊 Prediction: The Future of African Innovation and Lagos Startup Week

Looking ahead, Lagos Startup Week will continue to be a vital catalyst for African entrepreneurship. The “Disrupting the Next Decade” theme anticipates a shift where African startups not only solve local problems but export innovation globally. With more investors paying attention and governments creating favorable policies, Lagos is on track to grow its ecosystem valuation exponentially.

Emerging sectors like climate tech, health tech, and AI-powered fintech will likely dominate future editions. The event’s success will also inspire similar startup gatherings across Africa, further integrating the continent’s diverse innovation ecosystems. By 2030, Lagos could be recognized not just as Africa’s startup capital but as a global hub rivaling established tech cities worldwide.

This 10th edition will be remembered as a pivotal moment—a celebration of resilience, bold ideas, and the shared vision of building a future where African innovation leads global transformation. Eko for Show indeed!