Africa’s next wave of startup growth will not come only from Lagos, Nairobi, or Cape Town. It will come from secondary cities that are rapidly positioning themselves as hubs of innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship. This session explores practical strategies for building and scaling startups in underrepresented ecosystems, drawing from real-world lessons across Cross River State and beyond.

I will share actionable frameworks for achieving product–market fit, navigating funding challenges, and leveraging continental opportunities such as the AfCFTA and Africa’s ₦17 billion export market. Attendees will learn how to connect talent, capital, and market access in ways that position startups to thrive globally while staying rooted locally.

Whether you are a founder, investor, or ecosystem enabler, this talk will equip you with the tools and perspective to unlock the next frontier of Africa’s innovation economy.