Innovate Africa Fund proudly hosted the inaugural World Product Day Lagos, a ground breaking event that convened over 200 founders, engineers, product managers, designers, and ecosystem enablers to celebrate bold innovation and build the future of African technology through product-led execution.
A Platform for Builders, Not Just Dreamers
Set against the theme “Bold Builders Wanted,” the event created a high-energy, high-impact environment where product leaders tackled the continent’s most urgent challenges head-on. From scaling core infrastructure to inclusive design and product management best practices, World Product Day was a call to action for the next generation of African builders.
Enterprise Innovation Hackathon Finale
The grand finale spotlighted solutions from a high-intensity sprint where teams tackled real-world business challenges. AddressMe, an AI-powered addressing and logistics solution, emerged as the Hackathon Winner, impressing judges with its potential to streamline address verification and delivery systems for underserved communities.
“AddressMe stood out not just for what it built, but for why it was built — solving a critical pain point with impressive clarity,” said Folakemi Osho, General Manager at HOaQ, who led the hackathon judging panel.
The problem statement focused on improving patient record access across health systems, developed by Team VeriMed, was named the Best Problem Statement, highlighting the importance of framing real, local problems to drive innovation.
Interactive Sessions: Fireside Chats, Workshop, Product Demos and Roundtable.
Conversations with Moniepoint, Peerless, Interswitch, and others unpacked product execution, core banking innovation, and scaling strategies that resonate in the African context.
Innovation on Display
From product demos showcasing localised tech to masterclasses on inclusive product hiring, attendees saw real tools, real frameworks, and real conversations that prioritised execution over hype. Peerless, builders of indigenous core banking infrastructure, shared how infrastructure localisation can transform financial services delivery, while Moniepoint’s team walked participants through the national-scale rollout of a product serving millions.
Support & Partnership
This transformative event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors including Moniepoint Interswitch, and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). Their backing helped deliver an inclusive, high-value experience for all attendees.
“World Product Day was the first symposium of its kind, celebrating and empowering product teams in Nigeria with the recognition they truly deserve. It was inspiring to witness such energy and insight gathered in one space. We’re excited to see how future editions continue to shape the product ecosystem.”
— Moniepoint, Sponsor World Product Day 2025
What’s Next
World Product Day Lagos is only the beginning. Innovate Africa’s Wicked Labs initiative will continue to support bold, product-led innovation through future editions, talent pipelines, venture support, and ongoing founder engagement.
