The African Digital Economy & Inclusivity Conference (AFDEIC 2025) is set to convene in Abuja, Nigeria, from August 12 to 14, bringing together visionaries, innovators, and changemakers from across the continent and beyond to reimagine Africa’s digital future. With the theme “AI and Africa’s Digital Economy: Leaving No One Behind,” the conference will serve as a high-level forum for dialogue, strategy, and collaboration around the continent’s burgeoning digital economy, which is projected to contribute $180 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025—and soar to over $700 billion by 2050.
AFDEIC 2025 comes at a critical juncture, as Africa balances remarkable progress in fintech, e-commerce, and AI solutions with persistent challenges of digital exclusion and infrastructure gaps. While urban innovation hubs are flourishing, millions in rural communities remain disconnected. A 2022 report by the International Telecommunications Union revealed that 73 percent of rural Africans still lack internet access, limiting their participation in digital financial services, virtual education, and e-health platforms. In Nigeria, government-led initiatives such as the National Digital Economy Policy are advancing broadband expansion and digital services, but rural connectivity remains a significant hurdle. A 2024 GSMA report notes that 61 percent of rural Nigerians are yet to be connected to mobile internet.
Against this backdrop, AFDEIC 2025 will not merely explore trends—it will shape the roadmap for inclusive digital transformation. Through in-depth conversations, the conference will delve into financial inclusion, AI integration, data governance, cybersecurity, and the critical role of infrastructure in closing the digital divide. Discussions will also examine how AI and big data can inform public policy, boost productivity in sectors like agriculture and healthcare, and expand opportunities for youth and women in the digital workforce.
Adedayo Oketola, Team Lead of the AFDEIC Organising Committee, noted that the conference aims to confront Africa’s digital inequalities head-on and foster solutions rooted in collaboration. He said the inclusion of artificial intelligence in Africa’s digital development strategy could unlock transformative change across the continent, but cautioned that this must be done responsibly to ensure it does not deepen existing disparities. Oketola emphasized that AFDEIC 2025 would be a moment of reckoning—an opportunity to forge strategic partnerships, attract investment into digital infrastructure, and push for inclusive digital policies that leave no one behind.
Another core focus will be cybersecurity, as the continent’s digital footprint expands and the risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and financial fraud intensifies. Oketola stressed the urgency of adopting comprehensive frameworks, building cybersecurity talent, and promoting digital safety awareness. AFDEIC, he said, will be a platform for exchanging best practices and strengthening Africa’s resilience against these threats.
The conference will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, and practical workshops covering AI ethics, blockchain innovation, digital entrepreneurship, and cross-border digital identity systems. It will also host an innovation exhibition showcasing cutting-edge solutions from African startups, global tech companies, and research institutions. A dynamic investment and networking segment will offer startups, technology firms, and public-sector leaders the opportunity to connect with investors and development agencies.
Adetoun Tade, Marketing Lead for AFDEIC, said the event presents a rare opportunity to stay ahead of the digital curve in a rapidly evolving landscape. From mobile payments to AI and blockchain, the technologies shaping Africa’s future are already redefining its present. She encouraged businesses, development organisations, and public institutions to participate as sponsors, exhibitors, and strategic partners.
With its emphasis on inclusivity, innovation, and infrastructure, AFDEIC 2025 stands poised to be a landmark gathering—where bold ideas meet practical solutions, and where Africa’s digital destiny is charted with a shared commitment to progress for all.