Nigeria’s expanding digital economy took centre stage in Lagos as the 4th Edition of the Tech Ecosystem Awards unfolded yesterday, marking one of the most closely watched moments of Art of Technology Lagos 7.0. The ceremony convened founders, policymakers, investors and technologists to recognise the individuals and companies shaping the country’s next growth frontier.
Presiding over the event, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, joined senior industry stakeholders in celebrating what many view as a decisive turning point for Nigeria’s innovation economy. In his opening remarks, Dr. Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi (DBA–Hult) Founder of Eko Innovation Centre NG and curator of the Art of Technology Lagos, reaffirmed the objective behind the awards, noting that AOT’s mission is to “spotlight excellence at the intersection of technology, business and social transformation.”
This year’s winners capture the breadth of Nigeria’s maturing digital landscape, encompassing artificial intelligence, mobility, gender inclusion and financial transparency.
The 2025 Tech Ecosystem Award Winners are:
• Women in Tech Award – Ada Nduka Oyom
• Technology Personality of the Year – Odunayo Eweniyi
• Tech Journalist of the Year – Frank Eleanya
• Sustainable Mobility Award – Maxdrive.ai
• Startup of the Year – Chowdeck
• Social Innovation Award – BudgIT Nigeria
• Social Transformation Leadership Award – inDrive
• Local Investor of the Year – Oui Capital
• Inclusive Tech Award – Mamamoni Limited
• FoodTech Startup of the Year – Foodstuff Store.
• CleanTech Innovation Award – Creeds Energy
• Best Customer Service Startup – Bumpa
• AI & Robotics Excellence Award – CDIAL.AI
Each category reflects a strategic shift underway across Africa where entrepreneurs are no longer building only for scale but are building for impact. Startups like Maxdrive and Creeds Energy demonstrate how clean mobility and renewable innovation are becoming viable business models, not aspirational concepts.
Meanwhile, companies such as Chowdeck, Bumpa and Foodstuff Store illustrate the rising sophistication of Nigeria’s consumer and logistics markets, where customer experience and operational efficiency now determine competitive edge.
The recognition of BudgIT Nigeria, Mamamoni Limited and inDrive signals a broader continental trend where social innovation is transitioning from the sidelines to the centre of economic planning. With African cities expanding at unprecedented speed, solutions that democratise financial literacy, expand women’s economic participation or offer safer transportation alternatives increasingly define the region’s development narrative.
Nigeria’s investment landscape was also spotlighted through Oui Capital, whose win underscores the important role of local capital in stabilising startup ecosystems. Across Africa, domestic investors are beginning to complement global venture flows, creating more resilient funding pipelines and shielding early-stage entrepreneurs from global volatility.
Perhaps most telling is the growing momentum around AI across African markets. CDIAL.AI’s win points to a wider continental ambition to engage meaningfully in the global AI race, not merely as adopters but as builders. As generative AI, automation and robotics shape global productivity trends, African innovators are positioning themselves to solve local challenges while entering global value chains.
The awards reinforced AOT Lagos’ longstanding role as a convener of influence and ideas. According to event organisers, “The awards reinforced AOT Lagos’ role in recognizing innovation that fuels economic growth, strengthens inclusion and drives sustainable development across Nigeria.”
Now in its seventh year, Art of Technology Lagos has grown into a flagship platform linking government, startups, investors and global partners. Its purpose is to shape the policies and ecosystems that will define Lagos and Africa’s digital future. As Nigeria positions itself as one of the continent’s key innovation hubs, events such as this provide a mirror to the region’s evolving priorities, local capability, global competitiveness and technology that lifts communities as well as balance sheets.
The momentum witnessed this year underscores a broader truth where African entrepreneurship is no longer a peripheral story. It is a global business narrative dynamic, pragmatic and increasingly influential.
