Key Points
- GITEX Global CEO Trixie LohMirmand says Nigeria must turn its AI ecosystem into globally competitive businesses.
- More than 200 investors with over $200 billion in assets are expected at GITEX Nigeria 2026.
- NITDA says Nigeria is expanding fibre, cloud and computing infrastructure to support the technology economy.
Main Story
Nigeria must move beyond developing its artificial intelligence ecosystem and focus on building technology businesses capable of competing in global markets, GITEX Global CEO Trixie LohMirmand has said.
LohMirmand made the call at the opening of GITEX Nigeria 2026 in Lagos on Wednesday, describing global market access as the next major test for the country’s technology ecosystem.
She said Nigeria had made significant progress in startups, AI, creativity, funding and digital infrastructure but needed to convert that progress into businesses capable of attracting international customers, capital and partnerships.
According to her, Nigeria must also shift from primarily consuming AI technologies developed elsewhere to creating solutions that generate value internationally.
“Consuming AI just makes for a market. When you start to create AI, it makes you a superpower.
“Talent needs access to markets, startups need customers, while innovation requires capital and investor confidence,” she said.
LohMirmand said GITEX was designed to connect Nigeria’s technology ecosystem with international markets and disclosed that registrations for the 2026 edition had attracted participants from more than 90 countries.
She said more than 200 investors with assets exceeding $200 billion were expected at the event, alongside international participants including 23 companies from Moscow, nine Canadian companies and nine startups from Lebanon.
She said the international participation could expose investors and technology companies to Nigeria’s market, policies, talent and opportunities while giving Nigerian businesses access to international networks.
The Issues
LohMirmand said Nigerian startups needed to focus on sustainable growth rather than stopping at recognition or startup creation.
“It is not just celebrating the startups. This is only the first mile. Startup creation without sustainable growth would limit its economic impact,” she said.
She urged businesses and investors participating in GITEX to convert contacts made at the event into investment, partnerships and market opportunities.
She also called for stronger cooperation among government, private-sector companies and investors, saying the benefits of the technology event should extend beyond its duration into policymaking, education, startup development and technology exports.
“GITEX is not an exhibition. It is an economic infrastructure that supports the technology ecosystem,” she said.
What’s Being Said
“Consuming AI just makes for a market. When you start to create AI, it makes you a superpower.” – Trixie LohMirmand, CEO, GITEX Global.
“Talent needs access to markets, startups need customers, while innovation requires capital and investor confidence.” – Trixie LohMirmand.
What’s Next
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, said the government was taking steps to prepare Nigerians for a technology-driven economy.
Abdullahi identified human intelligence as Nigeria’s greatest resource and said technologies including AI, the Internet of Things, robotics and blockchain could increase productivity across key sectors.
He also highlighted certification and software testing as measures for improving trust in Nigerian technology products and helping startups secure corporate and government opportunities.
Abdullahi disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved Project Bridge for the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure, alongside efforts to expand cloud and computing capacity.
He urged international technology companies to invest and build in Nigeria and called on local innovators to develop products that can serve markets beyond the country.
“Building in Nigeria does not mean you are limiting yourself to Nigerian market, but positioning yourself for the African market.” – Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General, NITDA.
“Build to solve our immediate problems in Nigeria, but with the intention of scaling to Africa and to the world.” – Kashifu Abdullahi.
Bottom Line
GITEX Global is urging Nigeria to turn its growing AI and technology ecosystem into businesses capable of competing for international customers and capital. Government officials say expanded digital infrastructure, skills and quality assurance will be important to making that global ambition possible.
