Social Media Week Lagos 2018 kicked off yesterday and it was in full swing today with panels, presentations and food. If you’re not here, you’ve missed out on so much. Our review of the first day is here and remember, you can still attend tomorrow and pick up a campus badge for access to panels and sessions.
For now, here’s a roundup of some of the awesomeness we enjoyed today at the Landmark Event Center.
Lagos is the home to Africa’s most lucrative tech market attracting a bulk of venture capital raised in Africa. But some startups get the funding and grow up to become global powerhouses and regional giants while a number falls by the wayside and never really grow past the invention stage. To help solve this problem, leaders including Evans Akanno of Cregital organised a pitch presentation stand. They listened, critiqued and provided valuable insight as to how and why pitches might work for foreign investors. This session will happen noon every day until the end of the conference. Invite your friends and come learn how to get valuable funding for your startups.
Destination Next: Making Lagos the Innovation Capital of Africa:
While this event was supposed to be the launch of the Lagos Innovates Program by the LSETF, a more serious conversation took place about the Lagos market and how to scale upwards towards a global market. In a panel discussion including Temi Giwa-Tubosun of Lifebank, Printivo’s Oluyomi Ojo and Akintunde Oyebode representing the Lagos State Employment Trust fund, an important discussion about the state of business in Nigeria ensued. And while Nigeria is not perfect, the LSETF through its partner agencies is providing loans and business mentorships to help new businesses scale up favorably to the point they can start providing jobs.
Edtech: The Revolution Of Learning In Africa:
Statistics have revealed that EdTech Startups are still so few compared to their counterparts in other industries and that those existing few struggle to survive. With platforms like Pass.ng breaking the box on how edtech can become a success, there are new players in the system. In a session including Joseph Agunbiade, Toyosi Akerele, Nkemdilim Begho, Dele Tejuosho, the wins of the edtech startups were blown up, but problems exist including funding.
Reviews Without Borders: Books, Social Media & Community:
RED Media and JOY Inc chief Chude Jideonwo and Unekwu Nwaezeapu of the Eagle Toastmasters sat down to discuss online book clubs and reading culture in Nigeria. Discussions about the prospect of a hybrid book club and how to track conversations and properly review books were also had with questions and contributions provided by members of the audience.
Artificial intelligence and the Future of Work in Nigeria:
The speakeasy session by Cymantiks Limited was facilitated by Emeka Okoye touched on the evolution of AI and why it’s prime time for Nigeria to tap into it. Now, AI and tech might take a lot of jobs, but new fields are opening up every day.
That’s just some of went down on day two of SMW Lagos 2018. Visit our site to stay up-to-date on news our schedule and how you can attend.