The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Laoye, has reiterated his commitment to
transforming Ogbomoso into ‘Africa’s Silicon Valley’, outlining a 25-year vision to position the ancient city as a leading hub for digital economic transformation.

The monarch also at the event revealed plans for the Ogbomoso International Economy Summit which is scheduled for April 2025, saying the summit is designed to attract investors and showcase the city’s economic potential.

Speaking at the Ogbomoso Digital Economy Summit, with the theme: “Financing and Deploying Resources for Digital Transformation,” the monarch said the city’s potential for global relevance in the digital space is huge.

The summit, which was held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for the digital transformation of the ancient town.

Traditional rulers, government officials, tech entrepreneurs, and academics, all united in the vision of making Ogbomoso a global economic force.

Oba Laoye stressed the need for integration of technology into various sectors, including sports to enhance Ogbomoso’s economic growth.

He said the structured 25-year development plan is aimed at “empowering industries, generating employment, improving residents’ quality of life, unlocking the city’s potential in agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, tourism, and commerce.”
The summit’s panel discussions featured Mr. Iyin Aboyeji, founding partner at Future Africa, who stressed the need for a strong startup ecosystem and investment.

He urged the government to focus on policy and infrastructure rather than direct business funding, highlighting the importance of creating local business success stories to inspire more entrepreneurs.

Another panelist, Dr. Adeyemi Aderinto, identified talent as a natural resource, stating that less-developed cities like Ogbomoso are the next frontier for economic growth.

Aderinto noted that as major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are becoming saturated, emerging cities must seize the opportunity to attract businesses and talent.

With a population of 1.2 million, Aboyeji expressed confidence that Ogbomoso could achieve its goal of becoming a leading economic city within the next decade, provided it focuses on demographic potential over geographical limitations.

In his remarks, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stressed the need for collaboration between traditional rulers and the government.