World Product Day Lagos, slated for May 25, 2025, is not just another tech conference; it’s a clarion call for a product revolution in Africa. Born from a partnership between marketing communications firm M778 and Innovate Africa Fund, the event, themed “Bold Builders Wanted,” aims to galvanize product professionals, startup founders, and ecosystem enablers to prioritize product excellence and user-centric innovation. The organizers envision a future where African-built products, driven by a culture of meticulous craftsmanship and a deep understanding of local needs, solve continental challenges and propel economic growth. This event is not a celebration of funding announcements or theoretical concepts; it’s a tribute to the dedication, resilience, and execution required to bring impactful products to life. It’s about the “makers,” the individuals who transform ideas into tangible realities.
The core message resonating from both M778 and Innovate Africa Fund is a shift in focus from simply launching startups to building robust, scalable products that address genuine African challenges. Lekan Lawal, CEO of M778, emphasizes the need for a culture of product excellence and user-centric innovation as the foundation for Africa’s future. This signifies a move away from the prevalent “build it and they will come” mentality towards a more deliberate and user-focused approach to product development. Kristin Wilson, Managing Partner at Innovate Africa Fund, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of focusing on the tangible creation of enduring products rather than simply securing funding. This shared vision underscores the event’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and impact-driven product ecosystem in Africa.
World Product Day Lagos promises a dynamic and immersive experience designed to empower attendees with the skills and knowledge necessary to build exceptional products. The event will feature a diverse range of activities, including intensive workshops delving into the intricacies of product development, collaborative hackathons fostering innovation and teamwork, a high-stakes hackathon finale showcasing the best emerging talent, a product-focused job fair connecting skilled professionals with opportunities, and insightful fireside chats with industry leaders sharing their experiences and wisdom. This multi-faceted approach ensures that attendees not only gain theoretical knowledge but also have the opportunity to apply their skills in practical settings, network with peers and potential employers, and learn from seasoned professionals.
The workshops at World Product Day Lagos will provide attendees with practical tools and actionable insights that they can immediately implement in their work. These sessions will likely cover a range of topics crucial to successful product development, including user research, product design, prototyping, testing, and go-to-market strategies. The emphasis on rapid-fire product sprints will encourage participants to embrace agile methodologies and iterative development processes, enabling them to quickly learn, adapt, and refine their product ideas based on feedback and real-world testing. This hands-on approach will empower attendees to develop practical skills and build a strong foundation in product development principles.
The hackathon, a central component of World Product Day Lagos, will serve as a crucible for innovation, challenging participants to collaborate, brainstorm, and build functional prototypes within a limited timeframe. This intensive, competitive environment will encourage participants to push their creative boundaries, test their technical skills, and develop solutions to real-world problems. The high-stakes finale will provide a platform for teams to showcase their creations, receive feedback from judges, and potentially gain recognition for their innovative ideas. This element of competition and collaboration will foster a vibrant learning environment and drive the development of cutting-edge product solutions.
Beyond the workshops and hackathon, World Product Day Lagos will offer valuable networking opportunities through a product-focused job fair and insightful fireside chats with industry leaders. The job fair will connect skilled product professionals with potential employers, fostering talent acquisition within the African tech ecosystem. The fireside chats will provide a platform for attendees to learn from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and product leaders, gaining valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of building impactful products. These networking and learning opportunities will contribute to the overall goal of strengthening the African product ecosystem by connecting individuals, sharing knowledge, and inspiring the next generation of product builders. In essence, World Product Day Lagos is not just an event; it’s a catalyst for transforming the African product landscape. It is a testament to the belief that Africa can and will build world-class products, driven by a community of passionate and skilled individuals dedicated to solving local challenges and shaping a brighter future for the continent.
