Nigeria is uniquely positioned to drive Africa’s digital and creative transformation. That was the message from Ambassador Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, during the third Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos.
Speaking at the summit’s opening, Ambassador Mignot pointed to Nigeria’s youthful population, entrepreneurial drive, and expanding innovation ecosystem as key advantages. He described the digital and creative economy as a huge opportunity, adding that young Nigerians are ready to lead because they have grown up using digital tools and technologies.
The summit drew innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, investors, creatives, and development partners from across Africa and beyond. Together they explored how technology, innovation, and collaboration can boost economic growth and create new opportunities for young people. 
Ambassador Mignot said the EU and Nigeria have made the digital and creative sectors a strategic priority in their partnership. The EU is backing the entire digital value chain in Nigeria, from governance and infrastructure to skills and entrepreneurship.
He cited several active programs, including a recent €45 million EU-Nigeria digital development agreement. Other initiatives include support for 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic rollout, contributions to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda, and backing for the Three Million Technical Talent initiative. The Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, co-funded by the EU and Germany and implemented by GIZ, is also helping young Nigerians and businesses adopt new tech. The EU-funded Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme with UNDP is connecting graduates to real workplace experience.
German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, stressed that the future will be built through cooperation across sectors, institutions, and borders. She called Nigeria home to one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems, noting that Nigerian entrepreneurs are shaping global trends in fintech, AI, agribusiness, health, manufacturing, and creative industries.
Ambassador Mignot praised Omniverse Africa for uniting the whole innovation ecosystem in one space. He said Nigeria’s digital future will not be built in silos because technology, creative industries, finance, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and public services are converging.
The summit focused on turning dialogue into partnerships and ideas into practical solutions for inclusive growth. Ambassador Mignot urged participants to connect innovators with investors, policy with practice, creativity with technology, and Nigerian talent with global opportunities. Sessions covered digital transformation, AI, entrepreneurship, green tech, future skills, research collaboration, and innovation financing. The EU’s partnership with Omniverse Africa reflects its broader commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and youth opportunities in Nigeria and across the continent.
