By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State is playing a leading role in reshaping Africa’s urban landscape, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said, describing the city as a central driver of the continent’s economic and infrastructural growth.
Speaking at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics in Boston, Massachusetts, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos is “defining Africa’s urban future” through rapid expansion and strategic development initiatives. The forum, themed “Africa’s Urban Future: Cities at the Crossroads of Growth and Resilience”, was co-sponsored by the Harvard University Center for African Studies and the Bloomberg Center for Cities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the state’s ongoing transformation under his THEMES+ agenda, noting impactful projects across transportation, tourism, technology, security, and social inclusion. He said Lagos’ growth trajectory reflects Africa’s wider urban expansion, with the continent urbanising at 3.5% annually, driven by a youthful population and emerging innovation hubs.
“As one of the world’s fastest-growing regions and home to 30% of global critical minerals, Africa’s cities are reshaping economic pathways, with Lagos at the forefront,” he stated. “With the right partnerships and investments, we can build cities that are innovative, inclusive, and resilient.”
The Governor emphasized Lagos’ demographic and economic significance, noting that it is Africa’s second-largest city by population, after Cairo, Egypt. He acknowledged the challenges posed by rapid population growth, particularly regarding environmental sustainability and waste management, but affirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing them through structured policies aligned with the THEMES+ framework.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted Lagos’ technological and infrastructural strengths, citing the rail revolution—including the Blue and Red Lines—the state’s thriving startup ecosystem, and the seasonal diaspora influx known as Detty December. He said Lagos was recently ranked the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem in 2025, hosting over 2,000 startups, including five FinTech unicorns.
“Lagos attracted $2.73 billion in capital inflows in Q3 2025, representing 45% of Nigeria’s total, and its Internally Generated Revenue accounted for 35% of the national IGR, amounting to $821.9 million (₦1.26 trillion) in 2024,” the Governor noted. He added that youth aged 15–34 make up 40% of the city’s population.
The forum brought together global leaders, including Mayor John-Charuk Siafa of Monrovia, Liberia, to discuss how African cities are responding to challenges such as climate adaptation, public health, governance, and infrastructure while advancing innovative, context-driven solutions.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s address positioned Lagos as a model of urban innovation and resilience, reinforcing its status as a key player in Africa’s ongoing transformation.
