RismadarVoice Reporters, June 20, 2026
The European Union has expressed confidence that Nigeria is well-positioned to become a leading force in Africa’s digital and creative economy, citing the country’s youthful population, strong entrepreneurial culture, and rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made the remarks at the opening of the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, where he called for stronger collaboration among governments, private sector actors, and development partners to unlock opportunities for young people.
Mignot said the digital and creative industries represent a major pathway for economic diversification, job creation, and inclusive growth in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria’s large youth population gives it a unique advantage in driving innovation, particularly as more young people develop technology-driven solutions with global relevance.
He noted that the European Union is already supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation across multiple areas, including infrastructure, skills development, governance, and entrepreneurship.
The ambassador highlighted a €45 million EU–Nigeria digital development agreement, alongside ongoing support for the expansion of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country. He also referenced EU backing for Nigeria’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which aims to equip young Nigerians with globally competitive digital skills.
Mignot further pointed to initiatives such as the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, co-funded by the EU and the German government and implemented by GIZ, which supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology adoption.
He also cited the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, a partnership involving the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Federal Government, designed to provide graduates with work experience and improve employability.
The ambassador emphasised that Nigeria’s digital future depends on cross-sector collaboration, noting that technology, finance, education, agriculture, and creative industries are increasingly interconnected.
Speaking at the same event, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation hubs, highlighting the growing global influence of Nigerian entrepreneurs.
She said Nigerian innovators are making significant progress in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, agribusiness, healthcare, manufacturing, and the creative economy, adding that they are no longer just adapting to global trends but actively shaping them.
Both diplomats urged stakeholders at the summit to convert ideas into actionable partnerships that can drive sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
Nigeria continues to strengthen its position as a leading technology hub in Africa, supported by a growing startup ecosystem, rising internet penetration, and government-led digital transformation initiatives such as the 3MTT programme.
The European Union, through its Global Gateway strategy, has also expanded investment in Nigeria’s digital and development sectors, focusing on infrastructure, education, and innovation-driven growth.
