Nigeria is well positioned to lead Africa\u2019s digital and creative transformation, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said at the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos.Speaking at the opening of the summit, Ambassador Mignot said Nigeria\u2019s youthful population, entrepreneurial energy and growing innovation ecosystem provide a strong foundation for digital transformation, innovation and economic growth.\u201cThe new economy, digital and creative, offers a fantastic opportunity,\u201d he said, noting that young Nigerians are uniquely positioned to drive innovation because they are part of a generation that has grown up with digital tools and technologies.The summit brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, investors, creatives and development partners from across Africa and beyond to explore how technology, innovation and collaboration can accelerate economic growth and create opportunities for young people.Ambassador Mignot said the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as a strategic priority within their partnership and highlighted ongoing investments aimed at supporting the country\u2019s digital transformation.\u201cIn Nigeria, the EU supports the entire digital value chain, from governance to infrastructure, from skills to entrepreneurship,\u201d he said.He highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including a recently signed \u20ac45 million agreement between the European Union and Nigeria on digital development, support for the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country, the European Union\u2019s contribution to Nigeria\u2019s digital public infrastructure agenda, and support for the Three Million Technical Talent initiative.The Ambassador also pointed to programmes that support entrepreneurship, innovation and skills development, including the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ. The programme supports digital innovation, entrepreneurship and technology adoption among young Nigerians and businesses.He also highlighted the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, which helps connect young graduates with workplace opportunities and practical experience.German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett G\u00fcnther, said: \u201cThe future will not be built in silos. It will be built through cooperation across sectors, institutions and borders. The future will be connected.\u201dShe described Nigeria as home to one of Africa\u2019s most dynamic innovation ecosystems and said Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly shaping global trends in areas ranging from financial technology and artificial intelligence to agribusiness, health innovation, manufacturing and the creative industries.\u201cNigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,\u201d she said.Ambassador Mignot said one of the strengths of Omniverse Africa is its ability to bring together the full innovation ecosystem in a single space.\u201cPolicymakers, founders, investors, creatives, researchers, development partners and business leaders are all here, all together,\u201d he said.\u201cBecause Nigeria\u2019s digital future will not be built in silos. Technology, creative industries, finance, education, manufacturing, agriculture and public services are no longer separate worlds. They are converging.\u201dHe said the summit provides an opportunity to transform conversations into partnerships and ideas into practical solutions that can support inclusive and sustainable growth.\u201cThe future is connected, but connection must be turned into impact,\u201d Ambassador Mignot said.\u201cLet us connect innovators with investors, policy with practice, creativity with technology, and Nigerian talent with global opportunities.\u201dThe summit featured discussions on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, green technology, future skills, research collaboration and innovation financing, highlighting the growing role of partnerships in shaping Africa\u2019s economic future.The European Union partnered with Omniverse Africa as part of its broader commitment to supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and youth opportunities in Nigeria and across the continent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nigeria is well positioned to lead Africa\u2019s digital and creative transformation, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said at the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos.Speaking at the opening of the summit, Ambassador Mignot said Nigeria\u2019s youthful population, entrepreneurial energy and growing innovation ecosystem provide a strong foundation…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1065,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[186,187,178],"class_list":["post-1064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-news","tag-ambassador","tag-conference","tag-eu"],"yoast_head":"\n