Africa’s innovation scene is set to converge in Lagos as World Product Day 2025 arrives with a promise: to turn raw ideas into transformative solutions. Organised by Innovate Africa Fund, the event crowns months of ideation and prototyping by grassroots teams across the continent. With a $2,000 grand prize and post-event support on the line, the final pitch will spotlight five standout teams, each hoping to reshape Africa’s future—one product at a time.
The event marks the Lagos edition of the global celebration pioneered by Mind the Product, held in over 100 cities. Curated locally by Innovate Africa, this one-day conference blends inspiration with action. Attendees will include founders, engineers, product leads, and hiring managers—all eager to engage in hands-on learning, networking, and talent matchmaking.
“World Product Day Lagos is about translating lived experiences into tested prototypes and connecting them with capital, expertise, and networks that can bring these ideas to market,” said Kristin H. Wilson, Managing Partner at Innovate Africa Fund.
From Wicked Problems to Working Prototypes
The 2025 theme, Bold Builders Wanted, kicked off in March with an Open Ideathon. Africans were invited to submit real-life challenges, covering areas such as digital infrastructure, healthcare, consumer protection, climate resilience, and public services. After hundreds of entries, 12 of the most complex issues—referred to as “wicked problems”—were selected.
By April, multidisciplinary teams formed and entered sprint sessions to turn their ideas into early-stage prototypes. Now, the top five teams are preparing to pitch their concepts live in Lagos before a panel of judges and industry leaders. Alongside the $2,000 top prize, finalists will access incubation opportunities, expert mentorship, and tailored funding pathways to help scale their innovations.
Building a Pan-African Product Ecosystem
Set to welcome around 250 attendees, World Product Day Lagos 2025 promises an immersive experience. Participants can explore: Product Career Fair: Where African tech talent meets top employers.Interactive Workshops: Covering product strategy, experimentation, and customer discovery.Fireside Sessions & Panels: Featuring leaders from firms like Moniepoint, Go Money, 54 Collective, and Sterling Bank.
Launched just last year, the Innovate Africa Fund invests an average of $50,000 per startup and provides founders with bespoke support in finance, governance, and growth strategy. Its broader ecosystem includes platforms like the Product Leadership Accelerator, InspireAfrica Gatherings, and coaching from the renowned Silicon Valley Product Group.
The fund’s vision? To back entrepreneurs who prioritise problem clarity over funding buzz.“Far too often, solutions to Africa’s wicked problems rely on surface-level tech, borrowed models, and large funding rounds—without first understanding the core issues,” Wilson added.
Register to Build Africa’s Next Big Product
Engineers, product managers, startup teams, and enterprise builders are encouraged to register for the event and be part of a bold movement driving Africa’s product revolution.
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