The Africa Startup Festival (ASF) Lagos 2025 returned with a clear message: Africa’s startup ecosystem is maturing, and conversations are shifting from hype to execution, governance, and sustainable growth.
The festival, hosted at the Balmoral Convention Center, Federal Palace, brought together founders, investors, operators, and policymakers to examine how African startups can scale responsibly while navigating capital constraints and market volatility.
Panel sessions explored topics ranging from venture capital accountability to operational efficiency, logistics infrastructure, and cross-border payments. Speakers emphasized the importance of building resilient business models rather than chasing valuation milestones.
A key feature of the festival was the Antler Super Day pitch session, where selected startups presented to investors and ecosystem leaders, offering a window into the kinds of businesses currently emerging across African markets.
ASF’s Mentor Hours provided another layer of practical value, enabling attendees to engage in one-on-one sessions with mentors across finance, media, product, and strategy. The exhibition floor highlighted startups developing solutions for SMEs, digital payments, logistics, and education.
The festival concluded with the ASF Night Festival, blending networking with cultural performances, reinforcing the role of community in Africa’s startup journey.
ASF Lagos 2025 reflected a growing focus on substance, collaboration, and long-term value creation within Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
