Lagos Startup Week turns 10: Celebrating a decade of Africa-led innovation
Fast forward to 2025: Lagos is not just participating in the global startup narrative, it's shaping it. From Dealroom to Partech, Lagos is consistently ranked among Africa's most active startup cities, attracting founders, VCs, and global tech operators.
Born in 2015 under the vision of Prime Startups, Lagos Startup Week was launched to spark a movement: one that would not just showcase startups, but shape the very future of innovation across Africa. That vision has now become a reality.
In 2025, as LSW celebrates its 10th edition, Lagos has earned its place on the global tech map. According to Dealroom.co and Partech reports, Lagos is now one of the most active startup ecosystems on the continent, with Nigerian startups attracting over $3.5 billion in venture capital funding, launching globally relevant startups , and fostering a new wave of digital pioneers redefining what's possible ahead of Istanbul, Turkey and Pune, India. having created five unicorns and grown its ecosystem valuation 11.6x since 2017 despite having a smaller economy,' the report stated. According to the report, Lagos is home to five unicorns, comprising Interswitch, Flutterwave, Jumia, OPay, and Moniepoint, which makes the state stand out and the major acquisition of Paystack by Stripe for over $200 million.
The event organisers have curated a range of activities for over 5,000 attendees. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from tech experts and business leaders, gain valuable advice on scaling or starting a business, and network with high-profile entrepreneurs,regulators and investors. Lagos Startup Week is undeniably the destination for anyone seeking to forge connections within the global tech industry.
'This is more than an event. This is where Africa's future gets prototyped,' says Olumide Olayinka, Partner, Prime Startups and Convener of Lagos Startup Week. What began as a grassroots gathering has evolved into one of the continent's most consequential platforms for innovation, venture, and ecosystem development.
The 10th edition of Lagos Startup Week marks more than a milestone; it signals a new era. Under the bold theme 'DND – Disrupting the Next Decade,' LSW 2025 will examine what it takes to build in complex markets, elevate African-led innovation on the global stage, and define the next 10 years of entrepreneurial impact.
From resilience to radical thinking, this year's event will spotlight founders who are not just building products but rewriting narratives.
LSW is proudly powered by Prime Startups, an ecosystem builder supporting African founders beyond the event stage. Through year-round founder support, cross-border ecosystem partnerships, and policy engagement, Prime Startups is helping to lay the foundation for Africa's next wave of high-growth ventures.
According to Olumide Olayinka, Co-organiser and Partner at Prime Startups. ' Lagos Startup Week was never just an event; it was always a declaration. Olumide said that 'the city needed a platform where founders could breathe, build, and belong. Ten years later, we are still doing that at scale, and with global attention.'
THE LSW EXPERIENCE– 2025 AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
📅 Dates: July 7–12, 2025
📍 Venue: Civic Centre, Lagos, Nigeria
🌍 Theme: DND – Disrupting the Next Decade
To accommodate the expanding scope of this landmark edition, the event will span seven floors of the iconic Civic Centre for three unforgettable days. This year's edition promises to be even more spectacular, featuring 4 stages and Demo Days, all designed to showcase the visionary technology that will shape our collective future.
Expect:
Previous editions have welcomed visionaries such as:
WHY THIS MATTERS
In an era of global realignment and digital acceleration, Lagos Startup Week is more than a timestamp. It's a bellwether for how emerging markets will define the future of commerce, connectivity, and capital. It's where Africa builds and the world watches.
Join us in Lagos this July. The future isn't coming. It's being built here.
Watch 2024 recap:
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned industry leader, or an enthusiast looking to stay ahead of the curve, Lagos Startup Week is the ultimate destination to witness the cutting edge of innovation. See you there!
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