Lagos: A Nigerian startup, Meetbox Africa, says its participation in the just-concluded GITEX Nigeria 2025 in Lagos has provided the company with exposure, learning opportunities and access to investors that can shape its growth.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Awoyinfa, Co-founder of Meetbox Africa, described the exhibition as a launchpad for young companies eager to prove their relevance in the digital economy. Awoyinfa stated that GITEX Nigeria was both a classroom and a marketplace, bringing together startups, investors, and global giants under one roof. For Meetbox Africa, it was an opportunity to learn, compete, and gain visibility.

Awoyinfa explained that beyond showcasing products, the company engaged in meetings with Microsoft Cloud partners, Internet Service Providers, and venture capitalists. These discussions could potentially influence the company's scaling strategies in the coming months. He highlighted the challenges Nigerian startups face concerning access to funding and markets and noted that platforms like GITEX play a crucial role in bridging this gap by connecting local firms with global distributors, policymakers, and investors without the need to travel abroad.

The expo also demonstrated how local firms could compete on a global stage. Meetbox showcased its conferencing systems integrated with Microsoft Teams and Zoom, but what captured the most attention was their branded robot dog, 'K9 the Ultimate.' The robot, which danced, shook hands, and guided visitors to the Meetbox booth, helped the company stand out amidst a sea of innovation and sparked conversations about their offerings.

Awoyinfa emphasized that the most valuable aspect of GITEX was the knowledge exchange. The panel discussions and policy sessions provided insights into the future trajectory of the tech ecosystem, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, cloud technology, fintech, and cybersecurity. He stressed that GITEX played a significant role in building confidence and visibility for Nigerian startups.

Awoyinfa concluded by noting that Nigeria's position as a continental tech hub would be strengthened if more local innovators consistently leveraged such global-facing platforms.