German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday got a glimpse of Nigeria’s booming start-up scene, at the end of a two-day visit to the West African country.
In Nigeria’s business hub, Lagos, five young companies presented their projects to Steinmeier.
They ranged from a health platform, based on an electronic insurance card, to a financing platform that provides entrepreneurs with capital.
Lagos presents N1bn seed fund for startups to LASRIC
Africa’s most populous country, where people under the age of 18 make up half the population, has become a centre of the continent’s start-up scene.
The Nigeria Startup Act, which came into force in October 2022, has particularly encouraged the emergence of young companies in the tech and IT sectors.
During a meeting with Nigerian entrepreneurs, Steinmeier called for closer bilateral cooperation.
“Germany is still the country of modern technology; Nigeria is rich in resources and a creative young generation,” he said.
“We are perfect partners. So let’s realise our potential.”
Before his onward flight to South Africa, Steinmeier, a former German foreign minister, met the Nigerian writer and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.
His four-day trip to three African countries will also include a visit to Lesotho.
Germany’s presidency is a largely ceremonial role.(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
