Over the years, technology in Africa has spanned beyond what it used to be and the interest in the technology scene in the continent has grown tremendously, with Lagos at the center of attraction for some of the most renowned international investors. From the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to Google Ventures, Seedstars World and YCombinator, there’s been a magnetic pull towards the exploration of the local tech scene in Nigeria.

Now we are set to welcome 500 Startups’ Geeks on a Plane – an exclusive group of startups, investors, tech junkies and executives touring the world to learn about evolving technology demands worldwide. They will be touring Africa in March and will be in Lagos, Nigeria from March 19th 2017 to March 23rd 2017. 500 Startups would be bringing a number of tech insiders to Lagos, Nigeria through the GOAP (Geeks on a Plane) initiative.

Silicon Yaba – home to some of Nigeria’s newest, biggest and fastest growing tech companies and popularly known to be the Nigeria’s version of Silicon Valley, is organizing a three-way conversation between itself, Silicon Valley, and the wider ecosystem. Silicon Yaba Veterans will sit with Silicon Valley Insiders to discuss challenges, and share war-stories in overcoming these issues.

This would be in a unique town hall-style setting and the agenda would be to take a critical look at two of the most important areas, essential to local ecosystem-building – Infrastructure and Talent Growth.

The event is set to explore the possibility of building a functional infrastructural framework that can ensure rapid improved access (connectivity, mobility, services) for teeming Nigerians everywhere in order to preserve the early successes of the tech ecosystem. It is also aimed at confronting the problem of growing a pool of talent that can snowball the local tech ecosystem while exploring other existing opportunities to develop this talent pool.

The event, set to be attended by top startup reps and tech veterans in Nigeria as well as some of Silicon Valley’s finest is aimed at building an important bridge to foster key learning’s exchange for both ecosystems, from which stronger bonds of understanding can be built.

Event Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Venue: Co-Creation HUB, 6th Floor, 294 Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba, Lagos.

Time: 11:45 am – 02:00 pm

NB: There are only 10 Open Eventbrite Community spaces (hand-picked from reservations). For more information on how to register, visit https://siliconyabatownhall.eventbrite.com