Ten years ago, the Prime Startups team looked at the burgeoning energy of Lagos and saw a future waiting to be built. While the infrastructure was nascent and success stories were few, we recognized a continent of untapped potential. Our vision was clear: to catalyze a movement that would not just showcase African innovation, but actively shape its future.
That vision was the genesis of Lagos Startup Week (LSW).
Today, as we mark the 10th anniversary of LSW, we are not just celebrating an event; we are celebrating the tangible realization of that initial thesis. Lagos is now unequivocally on the global tech map, consistently ranked among the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems. This transformation is a testament to the relentless spirit of the founders we support and the power of a platform built with conviction.
From Grassroots Gathering to Global Bellwether
When we launched LSW in 2015, our goal was to create a home for builders. A decade on, the data confirms what we have witnessed firsthand:
- Nigerian startups have attracted over $3.5 billion in venture capital.
- Lagos is now home to five unicorns—Interswitch, Flutterwave, Jumia, OPay, and Moniepoint—and landmark exits like Paystack.
- The ecosystem’s value has grown 11.6x since 2017, outpacing global peers.
This progress is not accidental. It is the result of a deliberate, decade-long effort to connect capital with ideas, founders with mentors, and local solutions with global markets. LSW has been the central nervous system for this activity, and Prime Startups has been its architect.
The Prime Startups Advantage: Beyond the Event Stage
LSW is the most public expression of the Prime Startups mission, but our work is year-round. We are an ecosystem builder, providing our portfolio and the broader community with the strategic support, cross-border partnerships, and policy advocacy needed to scale high-growth ventures.
“Lagos Startup Week was never just an event; it was always a declaration. We believed the city needed a platform where founders could breathe, build, and belong. Ten years later, we are proud to see that declaration echoed in the five unicorns born here and the billions of dollars of value created. This is just the beginning.”
Olumide Olayinka, Partner at Prime Startups and Convener of Lagos Startup Week
Why This Matters
In an era of global realignment, Lagos Startup Week will define the future of commerce and capital. It is where the world comes to witness African ambition in action.
Join Prime Startups and the ecosystem we have helped build this July. The future isn’t coming; it’s being built here.
To learn more and join us, visit: www.lagosstartupweek.com