Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital, has been ranked the world’s fastest-growing emerging tech ecosystem for 2025, according to new data released by Dealroom, as published by TheCable Index.
The ranking places Lagos ahead of major cities such as Istanbul (Turkey), Pune (India), Belo Horizonte (Brazil), and Mumbai (India), underscoring the city’s rapid evolution into a global innovation hub.
Analysts attribute Lagos’ rise to a combination of strong startup activity, expanding digital infrastructure, and a wave of investor confidence in Africa’s largest economy. The city has become the heartbeat of West Africa’s technology landscape, hosting hundreds of startups in fintech, logistics, edtech, and entertainment technology.
A Continental Leader
Lagos leads not only in Nigeria but across the African continent, outperforming Johannesburg (ranked 8th) and Kampala (20th). Its dominance reflects the impact of local success stories such as Flutterwave, Paystack, Moniepoint, and PiggyVest—companies that have drawn international investment and global recognition.
Global Momentum
The top five cities in the Dealroom ranking are:
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Pune, India
- Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Mumbai, India
Other cities that made the top twenty include Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Dhaka (Bangladesh), indicating a growing balance of innovation between emerging markets and established global centers.
Africa’s Digital Future
Industry observers say Lagos’ ranking is a testament to Africa’s expanding role in the global digital economy. The city’s ecosystem benefits from a youthful, tech-savvy population, improved broadband access, and a growing community of venture capital firms and accelerators.
According to Dealroom’s findings, emerging ecosystems like Lagos represent the next frontier of global innovation, with rising startup valuations, increasing exits, and deeper integration into the international venture capital network.
As Nigeria continues to refine its policies on digital trade, startup regulation, and data protection, experts believe Lagos could consolidate its position as a continental leader and a top global contender in the decade ahead.
Source: Dealroom via TheCable Index
