Tod’Aérs Board Member H.E. Pedro Lopes Highlights Africa’s Own Innovation Model at GITEX Nigeria

Tod’Aérs Board Member His Excellency Pedro Lopes participated in GITEX Nigeria, one of West Africa’s leading technology and startup events, where he joined a high-level panel discussion on the question: “Should Africa build one or several Silicon Valleys?”

The discussion brought together leaders and innovation ecosystem actors to reflect on the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation across the African continent. Rather than approaching the question as a simple choice between one or several technology hubs, H.E. Pedro Lopes invited participants to rethink the premise itself.

During his intervention, H.E. Pedro Lopes emphasized that Africa does not need to copy external models of innovation, especially models that have also produced challenges such as high living costs, inequality, social pressure, and persistent issues of diversity and inclusion. Instead, he highlighted the need for Africa to create its own innovation model, rooted in its realities, strengths, resources, and aspirations.

The discussion underlined Africa’s unique advantages, including abundant natural resources, renewable energy potential, a rapidly growing digital ecosystem, innovation shaped by resilience, and above all, its people. With Africa expected to represent a major share of the world’s population by 2050, the continent has the human capital and strategic relevance needed to become a central actor in the global digital economy.

H.E. Pedro Lopes also highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation, African regional collaboration, and stronger bridges with the African diaspora, particularly Afro-descendant communities in regions such as Brazil, the Caribbean, and beyond. His message emphasized that Africa’s digital future must be built through collaboration, shared resources, talent mobility, and partnerships that place Africans at the center of the continent’s transformation.

As a Board Member of Tod’Aérs Global Network [TGN] for Digital Economy in Africa, H.E. Pedro Lopes brings strong expertise in digital transformation, innovation policy, entrepreneurship, and regional cooperation. His participation at GITEX Nigeria reflects TGN’s commitment to supporting Africa-led innovation, inclusive digital ecosystems, and strategic partnerships that strengthen the continent’s role in the global technology landscape.

Through this engagement in Nigeria, Tod’Aérs Global Network [TGN] reaffirmed its dedication to advancing a strong, progressive, and globally connected Africa, where young Africans and Afro-descendants can rise as true global players in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.