A New Global Tech Order

LISBON, PORTUGAL – The era of undisputed Western dominance in technology is coming to an end, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave declared on Monday, November 10, 2025 (EAT). Addressing thousands on the opening night of Europe's largest tech conference in Lisbon, Cosgrave pointed to a rising tide of innovation from China, Latin America, and Eastern Europe as evidence of a new, multipolar global tech order.

"This year, more than any year before, it's clear that the era of Western tech dominance is fading," Cosgrave stated to a packed Altice Arena. The four-day event, often dubbed the "Davos for geeks," has attracted over 70,000 attendees, 2,500 startups, and 1,000 investors to the Portuguese capital to discuss the future of technology, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the forefront of every conversation.

The Eastern Ascent: China's AI and Robotics Prowess

Cosgrave highlighted China's significant advancements in AI and humanoid robotics as a key indicator of this global shift. "The most advanced humanoid robots in the world on display are not European, they're not American. Instead, they are Chinese," he remarked. This observation is supported by China's strategic national focus on becoming a global leader in robotics by 2027, backed by heavy investment in research, development, and a robust domestic supply chain. Chinese firms like Unitree Robotics have demonstrated significant progress, with experts noting that the country's vast market and government support are accelerating the transition of humanoid robots from laboratories to practical, commercial applications.

This manufacturing and AI prowess signals a fundamental change in the innovation landscape. For Kenya, which is nurturing its own "Silicon Savannah" and has identified ICT as a key economic driver, China's rise offers an alternative and potentially more accessible source of advanced technology and partnership, moving beyond the traditional reliance on Silicon Valley.

Southern Innovation: Brazil's FinTech Revolution

Further evidence of this decentralization comes from Brazil's revolutionary digital payments service, PIX. Developed by the country's central bank and launched in late 2020, PIX has rapidly transformed Brazil's financial landscape. The instant payment system has been adopted by over 92% of the adult population and its transaction volumes have surpassed combined credit and debit card payments. In 2022, Brazil accounted for 15% of all instant payment transactions worldwide, second only to India. The system's success in promoting financial inclusion for millions and reducing transaction costs for small businesses has made it a model for other developing economies. PagBrasil, a prominent payment provider, has already launched "International Pix," enabling Brazilians to use the system abroad and signaling its global ambitions. This challenges the dominance of Western-based payment networks like Visa and Mastercard, demonstrating that world-class financial innovation is no longer exclusive to the Global North.

European Dynamism: The Rise of Poland and Sweden

Cosgrave also noted the growing influence of Eastern European tech hubs, citing a record number of Polish startups exhibiting at this year's summit. Warsaw, in particular, is emerging as a significant center for innovation, with the city sending its largest-ever economic mission of over 30 companies to Lisbon. The Polish startup ecosystem has seen a marked increase in growth-stage companies attracting significant international investment, moving beyond its reputation as just an early-stage hub.

Meanwhile, the summit's opening night star was Swedish entrepreneur Anton Osika, co-founder and CEO of Lovable. His AI-powered platform, which allows non-technical users to build software simply by describing their needs, has been dubbed Europe's fastest-growing startup. Lovable reportedly reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue in just eight months and raised $200 million in July 2025 at a $1.8 billion valuation, with some reports suggesting a new valuation could reach $4 billion. Osika's mission to empower the "99% who cannot code" represents a significant democratization of technology, a trend with profound implications for entrepreneurship globally.

Implications for Kenya's Digital Future

The shifting global dynamics showcased at Web Summit are highly relevant for Kenya. The nation's digital economy is expanding at more than double the rate of the overall economy, with mobile penetration at nearly 140% and 83.5% smartphone adoption as of June 2025. The government's continued investment in infrastructure, such as the Konza Technopolis smart city, underscores its ambition to be a continental tech leader.

Two Kenyan startups, AI firm Astro by Rocket Jobs and SaaS company Jipamba, are among the African ventures showcasing at the Lisbon event, seeking investment and partnerships. Their presence highlights the growing imperative for Kenyan innovators to engage with this new multipolar tech world. The rise of non-Western tech giants and financial platforms creates new avenues for collaboration, investment, and market access. As the global tech map is redrawn, the opportunities for Kenya to forge strategic partnerships—whether with Chinese AI firms, Brazilian fintech innovators, or Eastern European software companies—are greater than ever, potentially accelerating the growth of the Silicon Savannah and solidifying its role as East Africa's premier innovation hub.