Digital Lagos 2.0 Takes Centre Stage at Lagos Business Leaders’ Forum

Digital Lagos 2.0, a proposed technology-driven vision for the future of Lagos, took centre stage at a gathering of young executives, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders in Ikoyi, with artificial intelligence, blockchain and smart city technologies identified as key tools for improving governance and driving economic growth.

The initiative was unveiled by Lagos State Deputy Governor and 2027 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, during a private dinner hosted by luxury real estate development company, 7-Fifteen Capital, under the theme, “Lagos: The Next Chapter.” The event brought together about 150 members of the business community for discussions on the opportunities and challenges shaping the state’s future.

Under the Digital Lagos 2.0 vision, emerging technologies would be deployed to improve the efficiency of government, strengthen digital public services and position Lagos as a leading technology and investment hub.

Hamzat said the next phase of Lagos’ development would require greater attention to innovation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and support for micro, small and medium enterprises.

“The next chapter for Lagos is going to be about building on the progress we have already made and taking the state to a new level of innovation, inclusion and infrastructure,” he said.

He added that Lagos needed to strengthen education and healthcare delivery, create more opportunities for young people and businesses, and improve security, with the broader ambition of making the state a place where people and businesses can thrive and government systems operate more efficiently.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for business leaders to discuss issues affecting the private sector, with conversations covering sustainability, town planning, tourism, the creative economy and public private partnerships.

Hamzat fielded questions from participants during a fireside session, giving members of the business community an opportunity to raise concerns and seek clarification on how the proposed development agenda could address challenges facing businesses and residents.

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of 7-Fifteen Capital, Tope Adekoya, said the gathering was designed to bring young founders and business leaders into direct conversation with public leadership on the future of Lagos.

He said the depth of the discussions demonstrated the interest among members of the private sector in contributing to conversations around the state’s development.

Also speaking, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of 7-Fifteen Capital, Adesuwa Belo-Osagie, said private sector participation would remain important to shaping the next phase of Lagos’ development.

She said the future of the state would require contributions from government, businesses and citizens, adding that the company intended to remain part of conversations and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in Lagos.

The event also featured networking among participants and presentations on 7-Fifteen Capital’s real estate developments in Lagos and Abuja.