MGX Research Nigeria has called for a decisive shift towards Africa-led technology innovation, urging the continent to move from consuming global tech solutions to authoring them.

The research and innovation institution, focused on Africa’s digital future, released a brief titled “The State of African Innovation”, authored by its founder, Nnaemeka Ani. The publication stresses the need for solutions that endure, scale, and address real societal challenges rather than chasing international attention.

“Africa must move from being a consumer of global technology to becoming its author,” Ani said. “Let’s stop building for international admiration and start creating the future on our own terms. Africa will rise by code, by courage, and by us.”

The report identifies three pillars that will define Africa’s tech leaders by 2026: solving local challenges such as healthcare access, food security, and public service delivery; strengthening localised innovation ecosystems in cities including Lagos, Enugu, and Kigali; and leveraging state-led digital infrastructure as a foundation for private-sector growth and national competitiveness.

According to MGX Research, real value in Africa’s technology ecosystem comes from persistent, intentional solutions that digitise public services, strengthen institutions, and bridge the rural–urban divide. The brief also highlights the importance of governance, policy alignment, and infrastructure depth to ensure sustainable scaling.

The publication coincides with Nigeria’s push for broadband expansion and policy reforms aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises. Ani said these institutional shifts provide the “courage” necessary to unlock the continent’s innovation potential.

“The genius is already on the ground,” Ani concluded. “Our role at MGX Research is to ensure this genius is met with the clarity, research, and infrastructure required to scale globally. Africa is no longer just ‘emerging’; it is competing.”