Nigeria remains a key player in Africa’s startup landscape, but the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index by StartupBlink reveals important shifts in the rankings of Nigerian states and cities. This year, Nigeria dropped two spots globally, moving from 64th in 2024 to 66th in 2025. Despite this, it maintains a strong position as the 4th-ranked African country on the index, trailing South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya.
Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu, and Port Harcourt emerged as Nigeria’s top five cities in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index by StartupBlink, a leading global startup research platform. They were followed by Ilorin, Kano, Kaduna, Nguru, and Benin City, rounding out the country’s top ten. The index assessed over 1,450 cities across more than 110 countries. Nigeria has six cities ranked in the global top 1,000, with the majority experiencing a decline in rank.
Here’s a comprehensive look at how Nigerian states and their major cities performed in the 2025 rankings, highlighting key numbers, growth trends, and what this means for the country’s tech ecosystem.
Nigeria’s Overall Ranking and Regional Contex
- Global Rank: 66th (down from 64th in 2024)
- Africa Rank: 4th
- Number of Nigerian Cities in Global Top 1,000: 6
- Number of Nigerian Cities in Africa’s Top 10: 6
Nigeria’s slight global ranking drop reflects growing competition worldwide and some ecosystem challenges, but it remains West Africa’s most dominant startup hub.
Top Nigerian Cities and Their Rankings in 2025
1. Lagos – Africa’s Leading Startup Ecosystem
- Global Rank: 76th (down from 70th in 2024)
- Overview: Lagos, Nigeria’s only city in the global top 100, ranks 76th after falling six spots and exiting the global top 70 it entered in 2024. Lagos continues to be Nigeria’s startup powerhouse, with an ecosystem nearly 12 times larger than Abuja’s. It hosts Nigeria’s biggest startups and unicorns such as Flutterwave and OPay. Despite a 6-place drop, Lagos remains the continent’s top city for startups, driven by its massive market and vibrant entrepreneurial culture.
2. Abuja – The Fastest Growing Ecosystem
- Global Rank: 399th (up significantly from previous year)
- Overview: Abuja ranked second nationally, and 399th globally. The state recorded the highest growth rate above 50 percent with a 0.946 score and the only one to experience a global climb, joining the global top 400 and ranking 399th. Abuja is Nigeria’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem, showing remarkable improvement and attracting more startups and investors. Its rise reflects increased government support and growing entrepreneurial activity in the Federal Capital Territory.
3. Ibadan – Emerging Regional Hub
- Global Rank: 482nd globally
- Overview: Ibadan ranked third nationally and 482nd globally. The state recorded a 0.2 percent annual ecosystem growth with a 0.609 score. Ibadan’s startup scene is expanding steadily, supported by academic institutions and local innovation initiatives.
4. Enugu – Rising Tech Center in the Southeast
- Global Rank: 730th globally.
- Overview: Enugu ranked fourth nationally and 730th globally. The state recorded a 4.8 percent annual ecosystem growth with a 0.261 total score. Enugu is gaining traction as a regional tech hub, with increasing startup activity and ecosystem development.
5. Port Harcourt – Diversifying Beyond Oil & Gas
- Global Rank: 803rd globally
- Overview: Port Harcourt ranked fifth nationally and 803rd globally. The state recorded a 6.3 percent annual ecosystem growth with a 0.216 total score. Port Harcourt is leveraging technology to diversify its economy, with startups emerging in fintech, agritech, and other sectors.
6. Ilorin – New Entrant on the Map
- Global Rank: 885th globally.
- Overview: Ilorin made its debut in the global top 1,000 startup cities, signaling growing entrepreneurial activity beyond Nigeria’s traditional tech centers. Ilorin ranked sixth nationally and 885th globally. Ilorin is new to the list with a 0.177 total score
7. Kano – Facing Challenges but with Potential
- Global Rank: 1120th globally.
- Overview: Kano’s ecosystem declined significantly in ranking, However, it remains a key northern city with opportunities for revitalization. Kano ranked seventh on the national list and 1120th globally. The state recorded a 34.1 percent decline in annual ecosystem growth with a 0.104 total score.
8. Kaduna – Nascent but Promising
- Global Rank : 1207th glovally.
- Overview: Kaduna ranked in eighth position nationally and 1207th globally. The state is new on the list with a 0.090 total score.
9. Nguru – Spotlight on Underserved Regions
- Global Rank: 1241th globally.
- Overview: Nguru’s surprise inclusion highlights rising startup activity in less prominent and underserved areas, Nguru, a Local Government Area in Yobe State, recorded ninth position in national rank and 1241st globally. It recorded 0.080 as its total score.
10. Benin City – Growing Entrepreneurial Activity
- Global RANK: 1250th globally.
- Overview: Benin City rounds up the country’s top ten and ranks 1250th globally with a 30.2 percent annual ecosystem growth, with a 0.070 total score. with growth driven by universities, government support, and emerging tech initiatives in Edo State.
Key Trends and Insights
- Ecosystem Growth: Nigeria’s overall ecosystem growth rate was below 6% in 2025, the slowest among Africa’s top seven startup countries. This contrasts with Abuja’s rapid ascent and the emergence of new hubs like Ilorin.
- Sector Focus: Fintech dominates Nigeria’s startup scene, with companies like Flutterwave, OPay, and PalmPay leading the charge.
- Government and Institutional Support: The Nigerian Startup Act and initiatives by NITDA and other agencies are fostering an enabling environment, while partnerships with global organizations and investors are growing.
- Challenges: Persistent issues such as limited access to capital, infrastructure deficits, and low consumer purchasing power continue to constrain growth.
- Geographic Diversification: The rise of cities beyond Lagos and Abuja signals a gradual spread of innovation across Nigeria’s regions.
