Nigeria ranked 105th in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), a benchmark published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), yet secured the top spot globally in unicorn valuation.
The country was highlighted as one of the fastest climbers this year, reflecting growing momentum in high-tech imports and venture capital inflows despite not breaking into the top 100 of nearly 140 economies assessed.
WIPO’s Benchmark for Innovation Ecosystems
WIPO, a United Nations agency, oversees the GII as a tool for governments, investors, and business leaders to track innovation ecosystems.
The 2025 ranking evaluated economies on some 80 indicators, including R&D spending, VC deals, high-tech exports, and intellectual property filings, making it the cornerstone resource for policymakers worldwide.
While Nigeria lags in broader innovation infrastructure, it achieved number one globally in unicorn valuation, underscoring the rise of billion-dollar startups in Africa’s largest economy.
Unicorns, defined as privately-owned startups worth over $1 billion, have become a key indicator of entrepreneurial success and market attractiveness in emerging economies.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s Steady Progress
Sub-Saharan Africa made notable strides in 2025, with 10 economies improving their positions in the GII ranking. Mauritius retained its lead at 53rd, followed by South Africa at 61st, Seychelles at 75th, Botswana at 87th, and Senegal at 89th, showing a widening regional base for innovation growth.
Mauritius excelled in venture capital activity, particularly in investor participation, while South Africa advanced in ICT services imports and global brand value.
Namibia recorded the region’s biggest leap, climbing 11 places to 91st, driven by world-leading education spending, public–private research collaboration, and strong FDI inflows.
Nigeria’s 105th position leaves it trailing Rwanda at 104th, which continues to be the region’s longest-standing innovation over-performer. Senegal, meanwhile, rose three spots due to its strength in unicorn valuation and microfinance access, highlighting different innovation drivers within the region.
Global Innovation Leaders Remain Dominant
At the top of the global rankings, Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore retained their leadership positions.
The United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and China, entering the top 10 for the first time, rounded out the world’s most innovative economies.
Outlook for Emerging Economies
Seventeen low- and middle-income economies are outperforming expectations for their development level, led by India and Vietnam as the longest-running innovation over-performers. WIPO noted that since the GII’s inception in 2007, more governments are using the index to shape economic policy, design reforms, and strengthen innovation ecosystems.
