Africa doesn’t have innovation problem – Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, dismissed Africa's innovation challenges at the Texcellence conference in Lagos. He argued that the main obstacle isn't the lack of innovative ideas, but the inability to scale them to benefit millions of people. Hamzat advocated for stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors to expand technological innovation across Africa.

He emphasized that governments need to provide solid infrastructure, clear regulations, and sufficient funding to help technology businesses grow and positively impact citizens. Hamzat used CWG Plc, a Nigerian tech company, as a successful example of how a supportive environment can lead to expansion. The company grew from a small operation to a publicly listed entity with subsidiaries in Ghana and Uganda, serving clients across Africa.

He highlighted Lagos' efforts to improve the telecommunications sector through a shared fibre-optic infrastructure model, which has laid 3,000 kilometers of fibre and plans for a 6,000-kilometer network backed by $22 million in investment. Additionally, over seven million Lagos residents have enrolled in the state's identity management system, and smart cameras are being used for traffic monitoring and enforcement.

Hamzat also announced the launch of an electronic physical planning permit system, which has streamlined the permit process from 29 steps to seven, with no increase in fees. The Lagos State Science, Research, and Innovation Council has supported 18 researchers and more than 75 start-ups, with the government proposing legislation to allocate a fixed portion of its budget to research, development, and innovation.

Texcellence aims to foster dialogue between technology companies, governments, customers, and other stakeholders to strengthen Africa's digital infrastructure and speed up technological development.