By Our Reporter
LAGOS (PRECISE POST) – The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has declared that Nigeria is strategically positioned to lead Africa’s digital and creative transformation, citing the country’s youthful population, vibrant entrepreneurial culture, and expanding innovation ecosystem as key drivers of future growth.
Speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, Ambassador Mignot said the digital and creative economy presents immense opportunities for Nigeria and the wider continent, particularly for young people who have grown up in an era shaped by technology.
“The new economy, digital and creative, offers a fantastic opportunity,” Mignot said, noting that Nigerian youths are uniquely equipped to drive innovation and technological advancement.
The summit brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, researchers, creatives, and development partners from across Africa and beyond to examine how technology, innovation, and collaboration can accelerate economic growth and create new opportunities for young people.
Mignot revealed that the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as a strategic pillar of their partnership, with several initiatives already underway to strengthen the country’s digital landscape.
According to him, the EU is supporting Nigeria’s entire digital value chain, ranging from governance and infrastructure to entrepreneurship and skills development.
He highlighted a recently signed €45 million digital development agreement between the EU and Nigeria, support for the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure nationwide, contributions to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda, and backing for the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
The ambassador also spotlighted the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, a programme co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ to promote digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology adoption among businesses and young Nigerians.
He further referenced the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, funded by the EU and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Federal Government, which provides young graduates with workplace opportunities and practical experience.
Also speaking at the summit, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, stressed 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.
Günther described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation hubs, noting that local entrepreneurs are increasingly influencing global trends in financial technology, artificial intelligence, agribusiness, health innovation, manufacturing, and the creative economy.
“Nigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,” she added.
Mignot praised Omniverse Africa for bringing together key players across the innovation ecosystem, including policymakers, startup founders, investors, creatives, researchers, development partners, and business leaders.
He noted that technology, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, education, public services, and the creative industries are becoming increasingly interconnected, making collaboration essential for sustainable development.
According to him, the summit offers a platform to transform ideas into action, foster strategic partnerships, and unlock practical solutions capable of driving inclusive economic growth.
“The future is connected, but connection must be turned into impact,” he said. “Let us connect innovators with investors, policy with practice, creativity with technology, and Nigerian talent with global opportunities.”
Discussions at the summit focused on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, green technology, future skills, research collaboration, and innovation financing, underscoring the growing role of partnerships in shaping Africa’s economic future.
The European Union partnered with Omniverse Africa as part of its broader commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and youth empowerment across Nigeria and the African continent.
