Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has declared that Lagos is at the forefront of Africa’s creative and technological renaissance, positioning itself as the heartbeat of a continent undergoing transformation where innovation, enterprise, and culture collide to power the future.
Speaking on Thursday at the Nigeria–South Africa Ministerial Business Roundtable, hosted by MTN at the Rooftop Event Centre, MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Hamzat said Lagos is not just Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre but the beating heart of a new African creative and digital economy.
He said, “By positioning Lagos as the heart of Africa’s creative renaissance, we are not just building industries, we are cultivating influence, identity and inclusion.
Hamzat described Lagos as the gateway to West Africa’s economy, adding that its youthful, ambitious population, growing infrastructure and deepening broadband connectivity are fuelling a new wave of digital transformation. He cited projects such as the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, and the Metro Fibre Project, which has installed over 3,000 kilometres of fibre, as examples of Lagos’ drive toward becoming a smart city powered by innovation.
He noted that the Lagos government is investing deliberately in creative hubs, film villages and innovation districts, while collaborating with global streaming platforms to equip young African creatives with modern production tools and opportunities.
“Lagos firmly stands as Africa’s creative capital, a lively hub where imagination and enterprise must collide. Our creative economy, from the cinematic storytelling of Nollywood to the global beat of Afrobeats and from the fashion and design to digital media and gaming, serves not only as a source of national pride, but also as a significant driver of inclusive economic growth and youth empowerment. We see immense potential in this area, in this sector and are making intentional investment in creative hubs, film villages and innovation districts that offer access to state-of-the-art production facilities, digital tools and training opportunities.
“Our Creative Industry Masterplan and collaboration with global streaming platforms out there towards nurturing the next generation of African storytellers, designers and digital entrepreneurs. These investments ensure that grown creatives have the structure and support they need to turn their talents into sustainable careers and globally recognised brands.”
Hamzat called on South African producers, studios, and investors to join Lagos in building new markets and co-productions that tell Africa’s stories to the world. He emphasised that sectors like fintech, renewable energy, and green manufacturing also present fertile ground for collaboration, with Lagos and South Africa already leading the continent’s digital and financial innovation.
“Let this gathering mark the beginning of a new chapter where every conversation translates to investment, every handshake opens a value chain and every partnership delivers shared prosperity for our people,” he said.
Hamzat concluded by reaffirming Lagos’ commitment to fostering a city where innovation thrives, businesses flourish, and creativity defines Africa’s place in the global economy.
Melissa Enoch
