Innovate Africa, the dynamic product-led fund supporting bold early-stage innovators across the continent, has announced the upcoming Lagos edition of World Product Day 2025, scheduled for Wednesday, 21st May 2025 at The Strong Tower Hall in Lagos.
This one-day conference represents the culmination of a continent-wide initiative dedicated to transforming grassroots problem identification into prototype-ready solutions targeting Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Celebrating Global and Local Innovation
World Product is a global event initiated by Mind the Product, celebrated in over 100 cities worldwide. Curated locally by Innovate Africa, the Lagos gathering promises an impactful day that brings together product builders, engineers, founders, and enterprise leaders for thought leadership, practical workshops, and talent engagement.
The “Bold Builders Wanted” Theme
Kicking off in March, the initiative began with an Open Ideathon, inviting Africans to submit real-world challenges across sectors like healthcare, climate resilience, digital infrastructure, consumer protection, and public services. From hundreds of entries, Innovate Africa identified 12 “wicked problems” worth tackling.
In April, diverse teams assembled to develop prototypes through structured sprints aimed at transforming ideas into tangible solutions. The top five teams will present their solutions live in Lagos to compete for a $2,000 grand prize along with comprehensive post-event support to help scale their innovations. Additional incubation, mentorship, and funding opportunities will also be available for finalists.
A Networking and Learning Hub for Africa’s Product Ecosystem
Expected to host up to 250 participants, including mid- to senior-level professionals, founders, hiring managers, and ecosystem leaders, the event will feature:
- Product Career Fair: Connecting top-tier talent with leading African tech employers.
- Hands-On Workshops: Covering customer discovery, product strategy, and experimentation.
- Fireside Chats & Panel Discussions: Featuring prominent product executives, including representatives from Moniepoint, Sterling Bank, 54 Collective, and Go Money.
Kristin H. Wilson, Managing Partner of Innovate Africa Fund, emphasized the importance of meaningful problem solving:
“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. 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.”
Supporting Africa’s Innovation Ecosystem
Launched in 2024, the Innovate Africa Fund invests an average of $50,000 per startup and provides founders with tailored support in finance, governance, and strategy to help scale impactful solutions. Its ecosystem also includes programs like the Product Leadership Accelerator, Pan-African Product Tours, InspireAfrica Gatherings, and Silicon Valley Product Group Coaching.
Join the Movement
Product builders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and enterprise teams are invited to register here to participate in World Product Day Lagos 2025 and be part of a movement turning bold ideas into transformative products that address Africa’s unique challenges.
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