US targets more tech investment deals with Nigerian entrepreneurs

The United States Consulate in Lagos is actively promoting technology and investment collaborations between Nigerian entrepreneurs and American businesses. Consul General Brandon Hudspeth announced this initiative at the GITEX Nigeria 2026 event. Under the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP), the Consulate aims to be an active facilitator rather than a passive diplomatic presence.

Hudspeth expects significant growth in these partnerships, highlighting how the relationship between the two countries' tech ecosystems can bring prosperity, jobs, and services to both sides of the Atlantic.

American companies such as Google, Cisco, Meta, and Microsoft are contributing to Nigeria's digital talent development, training hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in technology and AI. This optimism is backed by data from Dealroom's 2025 Global Tech Ecosystem Index, which ranks Lagos as the number one Rising Star globally. Lagos has seen a twelve-fold increase in ecosystem valuation since 2017 and has produced six of the ten unicorns on the African continent, accounting for more than 16% of Nigeria's GDP.

U.S.-based investors have been the primary source of external capital for Nigeria's technology ecosystem over the past decade, with American funding making up 60% of all venture capital entering the country. These investments come from a mix of sources, including major technology corporations and venture capital firms. The U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership, established in July 2024, focuses on removing commercial barriers and attracting investment for a five-year period.

Beyond technology, the U.S. Mission continues to support commercial activities, such as the recent collaboration with an American agribusiness to boost aquaculture in Nigeria.

On the government side, Nigeria is also taking steps to strengthen its economic ties with the U.S. The Federal Government launched the "Hire from Nigeria" campaign in August 2026, aiming to create one million export-linked jobs over five years. This initiative seeks to connect Nigerian talent with international employers and expand the country's participation in the global services economy.