DICE 3.0: Uniting for Growth in Africa’s Tech Space

On Apr 7, 2025

Dr. Juliet Ehimuan, Founder of Beyond Limits and Convener of DICE, emphasized the critical role of collaboration and partnerships in fostering growth within Africa’s fragmented tech ecosystem.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on the sidelines of DICE 3.0, she noted that the ecosystem remains disjointed, making collective efforts even more crucial.

DICE—short for Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence—is an initiative designed to unite key players from the tech and business sectors to promote collaboration, spark innovation, and recognize outstanding achievements.

Now in its third edition, the event was held under the theme: “Scaling Right: From Market Entry to Market Leadership.”

Ehimuan stressed the importance of bringing together innovators, startups, investors, business leaders, and policymakers to build an enabling environment that can drive accelerated growth.

According to her, DICE has attracted the attention of foreign missions, with consulates from the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria and other countries in attendance.

“DICE provides an opportunity to learn from other ecosystems, drive partnerships and collaborations.

“It creates global partnerships that can provide investment opportunities, cutting-edge technology solutions, and other opportunities to collaborate and drive growth.

“On emerging business trends, every business is now a digital business, with technology permeating every sector,’’ she said.

Ehimuan highlighted Artificial Intelligence and machine learning as significant trends, providing immense potential to solve longstanding challenges more easily.

The founder urged leaders to embrace the digital economy and leverage the opportunities technology offers to shape a transformative future.

Speaking at the DICE event, Ms. JoEllen Gorg, Acting Consul General of the U.S. Consulate in Nigeria, expressed excitement about partnering with Nigerian businesses, pointing to the immense potential for growth and collaboration.

Gorg emphasized the strong commercial and investment ties between the United States and Nigeria, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and digital technology.

She also noted that Nigeria is one of only five African countries with which the U.S. has established such a partnership, highlighting the strategic importance of the relationship.

The Acting Consul General noted that the partnership is designed to incorporate private sector perspectives in addressing trade barriers and enhancing economic exchange, ultimately fostering shared prosperity for both nations.

She also expressed enthusiasm about the collaborative potential between Nigerians and Americans, emphasizing the mutual benefits that can arise from a strong bilateral partnership.

During a panel discussion, the Consul General of Switzerland in Nigeria, Mr. Frank Eggmann, remarked that the popular “Japa” concept has roots in Switzerland, where citizens once migrated abroad to acquire skills.

Eggmann explained that, lacking natural resources, Switzerland relied on such movement and skill acquisition to grow and evolve into the nation it is today.

“Without Japa, there will be no Information Technology (IT), because it is one area of investment that our citizens that left returned to the country.

“If people go out of the country to learn some skills, they should come back to become innovative and Nigeria can learn from these experiences,” he said.

The Swiss consul general added that Switzerland’s over 300-year history of political and economic stability had created a favorable environment for growth and investment.

Eggmann noted that Nigeria was experiencing a growing sense of stability, which is crucial for effective planning, project execution, and attracting investment.

He also underscored the value of education, pointing to Switzerland’s vocational training system, where more than 70 percent of young people participate in apprenticeships across various fields.

“This model has empowered many Swiss citizens to gain practical skills, secure well-paying jobs, and actively contribute to the nation’s economic development,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mark Smithson, Country Director for Nigeria at the UK Department for Business and Trade, stated that the United Kingdom and Nigeria are exploring strategic partnerships to stimulate economic growth.

He explained that these collaborations would center on innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment, citing Nigeria’s expanding economy and its strong potential for growth.

Smithson highlighted an existing commercial and investment partnership targeting key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and digital technology.

He also spoke about the UK’s Global Entrepreneurs Programme, which supports startups—including Nigerian ventures—through mentoring and deal-maker visas to help scale their operations.

According to him, the initiative aims to position the UK as a launchpad for international expansion, recognizing Nigeria’s vast potential and the importance of joint efforts to unlock economic opportunities.

NAN/Oluchi