Lagos Summit 2025 Celebrates Leading West African Tech Innovators

Attending the AfricArena Lagos Summit was nothing short of exhilarating. Imagine the vibrant atmosphere as Lady Kay, the Head of Communication and Social Impact at Salad Africa, masterfully guided us through the event, weaving a rich tapestry of Africa’s tech narrative with her storytelling prowess. Each word seemed to resonate, pulling us deeper into our continent’s entrepreneurial journey. Coupled with her presence, Deepankar Rustagi, the founder and CEO of OmniRetail Technology, delivered a keynote address that was as insightful as it was moving. Titled “Narrating the Fintech Journey: From Headlines to Hustle,” his words struck a chord with many of us in the audience.

Jane Egerton-Idehen, a powerhouse herself and CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, shared a profound insight: “Startups are undeniably the driving force behind Africa’s digital economy. Each initiative harnesses technology to empower and create impact.” This year’s summit showcased over 20 remarkable startups from various sectors such as fintech, logistics, and mobility, emphasizing the critical role of innovation in addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges. The interactions and partnerships forged at this summit are invaluable, illustrating the ongoing need for support to attract investment and strategic collaboration.

“For us at GIZ/Digital Transformation Center Nigeria, our partnership with the AfricArena Lagos Summit was aimed at providing startups from the recent techmybiz acceleration program a platform to showcase their journeys and attract potential investors,” reflected Daniel von Ritter, Head of Component at GIZ. His words highlighted the collaborative spirit that permeated the event. “I can confidently say this partnership exceeded our expectations. Congratulations are due to AfricArena for executing a successful debut in Lagos.”

Dan Mabbyalas, Director of AfricArise and Head of Product & Programs at AfricArena, expressed his pride with enthusiasm. “The success of the AfricArena Lagos Summit 2025 transcended mere event metrics; it was a powerful gathering of Nigeria’s brightest minds—founders, investors, and ecosystem builders—all united by a shared vision. We witnessed bold ideas and game-changing innovations fueled by an undeniable spirit of collaboration. Congratulations to all startups that pitched, particularly our winners—your journey is only beginning.” Such recognition indeed fosters a sense of community and purpose.

As the event reached its pinnacle with the award ceremony, it became clear that each of the 20 pitching startups showcased a unique blend of skills and innovation. The vibrancy of creativity was palpable, igniting excitement throughout the venue. The winners of the various awards were as follows:

• Best Fintech Startup Award: PaySika, represented by Roger Nengwe Ntafam (Founder & CEO, Cameroon)
• Best Logistics Startup Award: Retail Loop, led by Emeka Ehinze (Founder & CEO, Nigeria)
• Best E-Commerce Startup Award: Kamel, with Aminu Ibrahim Hashim (Co-Founder & CEO, Nigeria)
• Best Energy Startup Award: Koolboks, represented by Lolade Alonge (Business Communications Project Manager, Nigeria)
• Best Seed Startup Award: Vetsark, led by Blessing Mene (CEO, Nigeria)
• Most Promising Entrepreneur Award: Adashi, with Ahmed Idris (Founder, Nigeria)
• Most Attractive Investor Award: Al Mada Ventures, based in Morocco

The winners were not just seen as recipients of accolades; they symbolized a spark of hope for many aspiring entrepreneurs. Each winner received up to US$25,000 in AWS Activate credits, propelling them toward greater opportunities. “Receiving recognition at this summit validates our hard work,” exclaimed Mukami Wainaina, Investment Officer at Al Mada Ventures, who accepted the award on behalf of her team. “Thank you for allowing us VCs to relish our moment of fame. We owe a lot to the visionary founders who make pitching look easy!”

Ahmed Idris, of Adashi, whose passion is palpable in every word he speaks, stated: “Winning this award is a belief-shifting affirmation of our vision. It signifies that African-built solutions, like ours, can reshape how communities experience savings, access to credit, and financial dignity.” His sentiment reverberates with countless others striving to bring their innovative ideas to fruition.

Aminu Hashim, the drive behind Kamel, shared, “Being recognized in the E-commerce Track fills our team with immense pride. It’s not just about accolades but the momentum it brings. We’re revamping the landscape to ensure entrepreneurial opportunities are accessible to all.” Such dedication truly encapsulates the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Likewise, the enthusiasm from Lolade Alonge at Koolboks was infectious. “Winning the Best Energy Startup Award is a collective acknowledgment of our relentless innovation in energy. The AWS credit will enhance our capabilities, further pushing our vision for continuous cooling solutions in power-deficient areas.” What a testament to how technology can make a significant impact!

Looking ahead, the prospects for the African tech startup community remain bright. The AfricArena Europe Scale Tour 2025, scheduled for May, intends to showcase the best African tech startups at the AfricArena London Summit and the AfricArena Berlin Summit. Are you ready to witness the unfolding of more entrepreneurial stories?

To discover more about AfricArena, I encourage you to reach out to Jabulile Ngwenya at jngwenya@methys.com. Launched in 2017, AfricArena serves as a beacon of opportunity, fostering market access and creating investment avenues for tech founders, investors, and venture capitalists alike.

In just eight years, AfricArena has become a credible force in the global tech startup ecosystem, with alumni raising over $850 million. With a well-structured approach through impactful events designed to promote collaboration and growth, AfricArena continues to serve as a catalyst for innovation within Africa’s tech landscape.

For further information about AfricArena and future initiatives, feel free to visit their website at www.africarena.com.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.