LAGOS – Lagos has achieved a major global recognition. It is now the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem for 2025. This top ranking comes from the Global Tech Ecosystem Index 2025 by Dealroom.co, a research firm based in the Netherlands. The report shows impressive Lagos tech growth, placing it ahead of Istanbul, Turkey, and Pune, India.
Lagos is now home to five unicorn companies: Interswitch, Flutterwave, Jumia, OPay, and Moniepoint. These highly valued companies make the city a prime location for new tech businesses. The report highlighted, “This year, Lagos (#1) is topping the list, having created five unicorns and grown its ecosystem valuation 11.6 times since 2017 despite having a smaller economy.” The success of these Lagos unicorns signals a thriving environment.
Strong Policies and Talent Fuel Lagos’s Rise
Dealroom.co featured Lagos in its “Rising Stars” list of global tech cities. This category is for places showing rapid company growth and value creation, even with more modest national economies. Other cities on this impressive list include Istanbul, Pune, Belo Horizonte, Mumbai, Curitiba, and Riyadh. The report credits Lagos’s quick rise to its energetic startup scene and supportive government actions. This makes Lagos a leading tech hub.
“The Rising Star lens showcases the fastest-growing, emerging tech ecosystems,” the report detailed. Since Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu took office, programs like the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) have helped. LASRIC offers a N1 billion grant fund to support local innovation. This support is key to Lagos tech growth.
Lagos Government Reacts with Pride
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, shared Governor Sanwo-Olu’s proud reaction. The Governor stated, “We are thrilled but not surprised because of the hard work that our youths are doing.” This global acknowledgment is a testament to their efforts.
Omotoso added, “Thousands of our youths are busy at tech hubs, using technology to resolve everyday challenges. We will keep encouraging them.”
The governor also outlined plans to establish Lagos as a key tech hub for global giants like Google and Microsoft. Adding to the city’s growing international fame, Time Out Magazine recently named Lagos among the top three African cities for 2025.
By Abiodun Labi
