by Kunle Owoeye-
The African sports world just got its wake-up call! Sportiva Venture Studio (SVS) has officially touched down in Lagos, Nigeria and the message is loud and clear: African sports tech is about to go global.
“We’re not just here to play, we’re here to win,” declared Olufemi Abioye, CEO of Sportiva Venture Studio. “Our mission is simple: to build world-class sports tech startups that can stand toe-to-toe with the biggest names in the industry.”
The launch was no small affair. From government officials and startup founders to heavyweight investors and legal experts, the event had Lagos buzzing. Mr. Enitan Obadina, the sharp-tongued sports media guru who moderated the high-profile panel, pulled no punches as he led a fiery debate on “Unlocking the Next Frontier: Investing in Africa’s SportsTech Ecosystem.”
On stage, big names like Barr. Muyiwa Ayojimi (CEO, PLC Nominees Ltd), Mr. Dele Ige (CEO, PAC Asset Management Co.), Ugochinyere Onyewuenyi (Founder, SportsReels) and James Alabi (CTO, Sportiva Venture Studio) fired up the room with blunt truths and bold visions.
“Only 1% of global sports investment comes to Africa, that’s outrageous!” thundered Onyewuenyi. “We’ve got over 400 million young people hungry for sports. If we don’t act now, we’ll be left on the sidelines.”
Sportiva’s answer? A no-nonsense co-founding model: providing capital, operational expertise, and go-to-market firepower to startups across three explosive verticals — performance AI, fan engagement, and tools for sports executives.
“We’re building the digital backbone for African sports,” added Alabi. “By 2030, we expect our first major global buyouts. The future is closer than you think.”
The crowd left convinced: Sportiva isn’t here to tinker, it’s here to transform.
As Abioye summed it up with a grin, “Africa’s time is now. And Sportiva is the game-changer.”
