Follow Us on Google
By Chinenye Anuforo
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, discussions around the future of the country’s digital economy are expected to take centre stage at the 2026 West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) scheduled to hold in Lagos on June 25.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, is expected to deliver the keynote presentation at a high-level policy colloquium during the conference.
The session, themed “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” will focus on how digital innovation and emerging technologies can support economic growth and governance as Nigeria prepares for its next political cycle.
Organisers said the colloquium will serve as the policy centrepiece of WACC 2026, which will also feature the recognition ceremony for the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026.
The conference comes at a time when Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector continues to expand.
Industry data indicated that the sector contributes more than 18 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, making it one of the key drivers of economic activity and national development.
According to the organisers, the conference will provide a platform for policymakers, technology companies, investors and other stakeholders to examine how digital tools can accelerate inclusive economic growth and strengthen public service delivery.
Yilwatda, a technocrat and engineer who has held several public sector positions, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and Resident Electoral Commissioner, is expected to share perspectives on technology-driven governance and the role of innovation in Nigeria’s development agenda.
Participants expected at the conference include chief executives of ICT and telecommunications companies, leaders of data centres and internet service providers, executives from banks and fintech firms, as well as representatives of regulatory agencies and government institutions. Venture capital investors, startup founders, academic leaders and professional associations within the technology ecosystem are also expected to attend.
Organisers said the forum will create an opportunity for dialogue between political leaders and private sector stakeholders on Nigeria’s digital transformation and the policies needed to support it.
State governors have also been invited to participate as strategic partners, with the conference offering a platform for subnational governments to present their development priorities and digital economy initiatives to technology investors and industry leaders.
Through a dedicated investors’ pitch session, participating states will be able to showcase infrastructure projects, technology-enabled governance strategies and investment opportunities within their jurisdictions.
The West Africa Convergence Conference is organised by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa, and has for more than two decades served as a platform connecting government policy with private sector innovation in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.
Chairman of WACC 2026, Dr Sola Afolabi, said the conference continues to play a significant role in fostering dialogue on digital transformation and economic development in Nigeria.
The event will also feature the recognition ceremony for the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026, celebrating individuals whose contributions are shaping the country’s technology and innovation landscape.
