InnTech Summit 2025, Africa’s flagship gathering on technology, innovation, and sustainable transformation, concluded in Abuja with a strong call from industry leaders, policymakers, and global experts for improved digital literacy, strengthened governance frameworks, and accelerated investment in responsible AI across the continent.
The one-day summit convened 300+ participants and 28 global speakers, delivering comprehensive insights through two keynote addresses, two fireside conversations, and four expert panel sessions — all within a single high-energy day.
In his welcome address, the Convener and CEO of iCentra, Mr. Taopheek Babayeju, said the summit was organised to spotlight the often-overlooked sustainability implications of emerging technologies.
He described Africa as “the world’s fastest-growing digital economy,” noting that while the continent faces challenges — energy constraints, digital divides, and climate vulnerabilities — it is also home to a rapidly rising generation of innovators reshaping markets, institutions, and governance.
Delivering the first keynote, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, Managing Partner at Verraki and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), commended the organisers for curating a diverse lineup of experts. He emphasized that nations prosper when technology drives productivity, inclusion, and modernization.
Yusuf warned against a new era of “AI exclusion,” urging leaders to ensure that emerging digital systems benefit all segments of society.
The second keynote “Building a Green Digital Economy in Africa – Nigeria’s Pathway to Sustainable Digital Transformation” was delivered on behalf of Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships.
The Summit also featured a fireside conversation with Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), on regulatory and ethical frameworks for AI and data governance.
Contributing to the dialogue, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) and Senior Fellow at the NESG, highlighted the need for inclusive innovation. She shared that the PIC, as the coordinating body for the Nigeria AI Collective, is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to promote ethical and inclusive AI across sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and governance, ensuring that vulnerable and marginalized groups are not excluded from the AI transition.
One of the major highlights of the event was the unveiling of Green Digital Africa, announced during a fireside chat with Mr. Babayeju. The new multi-stakeholder initiative aims to accelerate Africa’s shift toward a green-digital economy, focusing on policy harmonization, innovation acceleration, digital skills development, and the sustainable deployment of technology across key sectors.
Stakeholders unanimously stressed the urgency of preparing Africa’s workforce for the AI era through expanded digital literacy, enhanced cybersecurity capabilities, and governance frameworks that ensure safe, ethical, and inclusive deployment of emerging technologies.
The Summit also reaffirmed the importance of public–private collaboration, with leaders from government, telecoms, financial services, development agencies, academia, and the startup ecosystem pledging to sustain partnership efforts beyond the event.
As the 2025 edition concluded, conveners iCentra announced the global expansion of the InnTech platform, with InnTech Dallas scheduled for Summer 2026, followed by InnTech Africa in November 2026.
InnTech remains committed to shaping conversations, influencing policy, and accelerating Africa’s digital transformation through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
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