Nigeria and Sweden Launch EPICENTRE Innovation Hub to Boost Green, Digital Transformation
Nigeria is taking a big step toward a more sustainable, tech-driven future through a new partnership between 21st Century Technologies and Sweden’s EPICENTRE, backed by Business Sweden and the Swedish Government. The agreement, signed at the Nigeria-Sweden Business Forum in Lagos, focuses on driving innovation in green energy, artificial intelligence, and open collaboration. With Crown Princess Victoria Désiré of Sweden and 21st Century’s CEO Wale Ajisebutu leading the charge, the deal is expected to help position Nigeria as a major force in the global green economy.
A key highlight of the initiative is the launch of the EPICENTRE innovation hub, which will be located at 21st Century Technologies’ Lagos headquarters. The hub is designed to be a collaborative space for research and development in renewable energy, eco-friendly infrastructure, and digital technologies. It will also serve as a training and co-creation center, bringing together tech leaders, academics, and government stakeholders from both countries. According to Ajisebutu, this move represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s goal to build smart and sustainable infrastructure.
The partnership will focus heavily on renewable energy solutions such as wind power and the incubation of green technologies. It also aims to scale up Nigeria’s digital infrastructure to support broader economic development. Ajisebutu noted that the initiative aligns with their broader mission of delivering practical, sustainable solutions for Nigerians. The goal is not just innovation for its own sake, but to tackle pressing challenges in energy and infrastructure with forward-thinking, locally adapted solutions.
Crown Princess Désiré emphasized the urgency of transitioning to a green economy and praised the cooperative model that involves businesses, academia, and civil society. She expressed hope that this collaboration would lead to even more impactful innovations in sectors like energy, transportation, and mining. By combining Sweden’s strengths in clean technology with Nigeria’s local knowledge and infrastructure, the EPICENTRE hub is expected to become a major regional driver of inclusive growth, sustainability, and digital transformation across West Africa.
Source: Punch