Nigerian Creatives Urge Strategic Innovation at Lagos Conference

Innovation is increasingly recognized as essential for economic growth and competitiveness across various regions and sectors worldwide. Digital Jersey is actively fostering a tech innovation ecosystem by supporting startups, upskilling workers in AI, and enhancing local digital expertise through initiatives like the Start and Scale Pathway and the expanded ProMatch platform. In Nigeria, industry leaders at the Beyond Convention conference emphasized the need to challenge traditional mindsets and adopt strategic, unconventional approaches in technology and finance to drive national development, with government commitment to economic targets. Similarly, South African youth are turning to entrepreneurship to combat a high unemployment rate, launching startups in innovative fields such as AI and agriculture, though they face challenges like funding and business planning. SME South Africa exemplifies how creativity combined with digital tools, such as an AI chatbot for real-time entrepreneur support, can empower small businesses and promote sustained growth. Together, these examples demonstrate a global push toward nurturing cultures of innovation through collaboration, education, and technology-driven solutions.