Lagos has been ranked the fastest-growing technology ecosystem in the world for 2025, according to the Global Tech Ecosystem Index 2025 report by Dutch research firm Dealroom. The city leads the top “Rising Stars” category, which showcases emerging tech cities globally by considering growth in unicorns and enterprise value at $15.3 billion. Lagos is home to five unicorns, namely, Jumia, Moniepoint, Interswitch, Flutterwave, and OPay making it an attractive destination for tech startups. Despite its smaller economy, the city’s ecosystem valuation has grown 11.6 times since 2017, surpassing other contenders in the category. The report placed Istanbul, Turkey as the second fastest-growing tech hub, followed by Pune, India, while cities like Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Mumbai (India), Curitiba (Brazil), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) also made the list. Dealroom emphasised that Lagos’ growth showcases the rise of new tech ecosystems, driven by enterprise value expansion and unicorn creation, adjusted for local economic factors. However, while Lagos excelled in this category, Nigeria was absent from the Global Champions list, which ranks the world’s most established startup ecosystems. The Bay Area (United States), New York City, and Boston took the top positions. Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Lagos State government announced that N2.9 billion had been spent over the past year to support 8,690 vulnerable residents, including pregnant women, through the Eko Cares initiative. Another N1.6 billion has been earmarked for new beneficiaries. State officials also outlined the progress in agriculture and rural development, with initiatives like the Isheri Integrated Farm Centre and Ketu-Epe Farm Centre, which provide modern training for grassroots farmers. Lagos continues to position itself as a global tech leader, demonstrating resilience and innovation in the face of economic challenges.
Storipod to introduce clickable links in upcoming update
In an exclusive tip to Daily Tech, a team member of Storipod, known as @yourstruly (jakuzy09), revealed that the microblogging platform is set to introduce clickable links in its upcoming update. This feature will enhance user interaction by allowing creators to share links directly within their stories, making it easier for readers to access additional content or websites. Storipod, designed to evolve into a creator’s marketplace, focuses on delivering content in the Stori format. The introduction of clickable links will likely boost engagement and provide a more seamless experience for users, aligning with the platform’s goal of fostering a dynamic community of creators and readers. This development is part of Storipod’s efforts to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, where interactive features are increasingly crucial for user retention and satisfaction.
Google’s Gemini AI introduces real-time video and screen sharing features
Google has unveiled a groundbreaking update to its AI assistant, Gemini, allowing users to interact with the chatbot in real-time through video and screen sharing. The announcement was made during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, showcasing how the new features enhance user experience by providing more interactive and practical solutions. The new “Screenshare” feature enables users to share their phone screens with Gemini, allowing the AI to analyze and respond to what is being displayed. For example, during a demonstration, a user shopping for baggy jeans asked Gemini for styling suggestions. The AI quickly analyzed the video and suggested complementary clothing options, such as matching jackets and accessories. Another standout feature is Gemini’s ability to process live video input. Users can film their surroundings or specific items and ask questions in real time. In one demo, a ceramicist sought advice on which glazes would best suit newly fired vases for a mid-century modern aesthetic. By moving the camera around, the user allowed Gemini to analyze various glaze options and provide tailored recommendations. These updates are designed to improve communication between users and the AI by making interactions more dynamic and visually intuitive. For users who struggle to articulate their queries in text, these features provide a hands-on way to demonstrate problems or seek advice. This functionality is particularly useful for tutorials or lessons, where screen sharing can facilitate more interactive learning experiences. The live video and screen-sharing features will roll out to Gemini Advanced subscribers on Android devices later this month. Currently available only in English, Google plans to expand these capabilities to other languages and its Workspace Business and Enterprise customers soon. This announcement follows a series of updates to Gemini over recent months. Google recently introduced a memory feature that allows the AI assistant to recall past conversations, enabling more personalized responses. Additionally, January saw the release of Gemini 2.0 Pro with enhanced reasoning capabilities through its “Flash Thinking Experimental” model, aimed at improving performance and explainability. Google’s rapid innovation with Gemini reflects the intense competition in the AI chatbot market. Rivals like OpenAI are also pushing boundaries with their models. OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT-4.5, which boasts improved understanding of human intent and excels in creative tasks like writing and design. With GPT-5 expected later this year, the race between Google and OpenAI continues to heat up as both companies strive for dominance in the AI space.
Osun Airport Relocation: Technical Committee Defends Move Amidst Public Outcry
Osogbo, Nigeria – The Osun State Government’s Technical Committee has defended its decision to relocate the proposed airport project from Ido Osun to Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The move has sparked controversy and allegations of nepotism, but the committee insists that the relocation is based on technical and safety considerations. During a press briefing in Osogbo, Mr. Lai Oriowo, a member of the Technical Committee, explained that the current site at Ido Osun failed to meet key aviation standards. He highlighted several inadequacies, including insufficient runway length, the presence of obstructive structures like Adeleke Secondary School, and inadequate culverts and drainage. “The existing runway at Ido Osun is only 1.67km, far below the required 4.8km for a standard airport,” Oriowo stated. “Siting the runway at this location would require significant displacement of settlements and demolition of existing structures, making it unfeasible.” The committee’s findings also revealed that the terminal building and control tower were improperly located, further complicating the project’s feasibility at the Ido Osun site. After considering alternative locations, the committee determined that Akoda in Ede met all necessary conditions for the airport project. Despite the technical justifications, the decision has faced strong opposition from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and residents of Ido Osun. The APC accused Governor Adeleke of nepotism, arguing that the relocation was a selfish move that disregarded the billions of naira already invested in the Ido Osun site since the administration of ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Residents of Ido Osun, led by the Eesa of Ido-Osun, Chief Oyewale Basiru, and former Osun State Assembly lawmaker, Abiodun Awolola, staged a peaceful protest against the relocation. They demanded that the project remain in Ido Osun, arguing that the government’s explanation of encroachment on the land was insufficient. Governor Adeleke’s administration, however, maintains that the decision to relocate the airport is rooted in technical and safety considerations, not politics. The state government has assured that the existing airport at Ido Osun, now under the control of the Air Force, will serve as a training school and alternate airport in line with the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the State Government and Air Force. The controversy surrounding the relocation of the Osun airport project continues to unfold, with critics questioning the governor’s motives while the state government insists on the necessity of the move for the project’s success.
FG Commends Moniepoint for Fintech Innovation, Financial Inclusion Efforts
The Federal Government has congratulated Moniepoint Inc. for its leadership in financial technology innovation and its efforts to expand financial inclusion across Nigeria. Vice President Kashim Shettima made the commendation in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Moniepoint’s leadership team, led by its CEO, Tosin Eniolorunda. Shettima lauded the company’s innovative use of technology to empower small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) while ensuring diversity and inclusion within its operations. “Moniepoint is a kaleidoscope of colours, reflecting Nigeria’s multicultural identity,” Shettima said. He noted the company’s workforce of over 3,000 employees, which includes significant representation of women in leadership roles, as a model for other organisations. While celebrating Moniepoint’s success, Shettima urged the company to implement stringent measures to prevent misuse of its platform by fraudsters. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the firm’s local operations and global expansion plans. Shettima also highlighted other government-backed initiatives, such as Amal Hassan’s Outsource to Nigeria project, underscoring the administration’s focus on leveraging innovation to boost the economy. Eniolorunda expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated Moniepoint’s dedication to building a robust digital ecosystem. “Our mission is to empower every Nigerian through technology, and we remain committed to this goal,” he said. Moniepoint’s recognition by the federal government cements its position as a leader in Nigeria’s evolving financial landscape, driven by innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration.
PHOTOS: Terrahaptix Celebrates Successful Launch of Terra Expo 2024 with Over 500 Attendees
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – November 23, 2024—Terrahaptix, a leader in Africa’s drone and robotics industry, successfully hosted its first-ever Terra Expo 2024 at the Aztec Arcum in Port Harcourt. According to a member of the event marketing team, @saamu_eleja on X, whilst celebrating, revealed that it had 1120 registered for the event and over 500 registrants were in attendance. 2024’s Terra Expo brought together top industry professionals, innovators, and tech enthusiasts eager to witness Nigeria’s latest advancements in drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI) and meet the masterminds behind this innovation. One user @bigboy_designer shares his experience on X, “Went for the Terra Expo today and it was awesome.’ He noted, ‘there were a lot of great speakers and many people who were interested in the hardware space. I enjoyed this one.” The expo highlighted Terrahaptix’s dedication to driving automation across emerging markets. A key moment of the event was the unveiling of three groundbreaking products poised to transform the agricultural and logistics industries. The surprise product launch added to the excitement, making the expo a milestone event for the company. The three main products launched include: Archer Drones: for advanced aerial security and surveillance. Kallon Sentry Tower: a solar-powered surveillance system using AI to detect and track threats up to 5 kilometers away. ArtemisOS: A mobile-first operating system built for drones, likened to “Android for drones.” Speaking at the expo, Nathan Nwachuku, Chairman of Terrahaptix, described the event as a turning point for the company. “This is the beginning of something extraordinary. Terra Expo marks our commitment to innovation, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of AI-driven robotics. These products represent years of meticulous research and testing,” he stated. The Terra Expo not only showcased cutting-edge tech from Nigeria but it also created an opportunity for young industry players to meet and connect. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with experts and discuss the future of robotics in Nigeria, Africa. Another X user @designeragba shared photos online, and exclaimed, it was lovely meeting like-minded people at the expo. Terrahaptix has quickly established itself as an important player in the global automation industry. The company recently opened a 15,000-square-foot drone factory in Abuja and secured a $500k contract to supply Archer drones to Ghana. With over $1 million processed in drone orders, Terrahaptix will continue to innovate across various sectors including mining, oil and gas, and construction.