By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA — Stakeholders in Africa’s innovation ecosystem have called for stronger government support, increased funding, and deeper collaboration as preparations intensify for the AfricaX Summit 2026.

Speaking at separate press briefings in Abuja, the President of the African University of Science and Technology, Prof. Peter Onwualu, and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Kingsley Ogwudu, outlined plans for the summit and its expected impact on Africa’s development.

The summit, scheduled to hold from April 27 to 29 at AUST, Abuja, is themed “Reshaping the Future of Africa through Innovation, Investment, and Collaboration.” It is expected to convene innovators, researchers, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and government agencies from across the continent.

Ogwudu described the event as a strategic platform aimed at bridging the gap between African research and global capital.

“This is not just another conference. AfricaX is designed to connect ideas with the funding and partnerships needed to scale them,” he said.

He stressed the need for Africa to transition from being primarily a consumer of technology to becoming a producer of solutions, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, climate change, energy, and financial technology.

According to him, the summit will focus on four key pillars: innovation ecosystems, investment and finance, youth and women empowerment, and public-private partnerships. He added that the initiative also seeks to address brain drain by creating opportunities for African talent to thrive locally while contributing to global solutions.

Also speaking, Prof. Onwualu said the summit would bring together key stakeholders to help translate innovative ideas into practical, real-world applications. He noted that the initiative is intended to complement existing government efforts while strengthening collaboration across sectors.

He disclosed that organisers have engaged state governments, financial institutions, and relevant agencies to ensure broad participation and sustained impact.

Onwualu highlighted the importance of venture capital in driving innovation, calling for the establishment of more venture capital firms in Nigeria. He also urged the government to introduce enabling policies such as tax incentives and improved access to funding.

He noted that while innovation investment carries inherent risks, supportive government policies can help attract more investors into the ecosystem.

Addressing policy implementation, Onwualu observed that Nigeria already has frameworks to support research and innovation, but weak execution remains a major challenge. He called for improved enforcement and increased budgetary allocation to research and development, currently estimated at about 0.2 per cent of GDP.

He described the Federal Government’s National Research and Innovation Fund as a step toward bridging the gap between research and commercialisation, noting that it should support both researchers and industry players.

The summit has secured partnerships with key organisations, including African Experts for Innovation and Sustainable Development, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Nigerian Communications Commission, and CypherCrescent.

In addition, Onwualu announced plans to launch an interactive digital platform after the conference to serve as a matchmaking hub connecting innovators, investors, and other stakeholders across Africa.

Both speakers said the summit is part of an ongoing annual initiative aimed at building a strong continental network through sustained partnerships, with plans to rotate hosting among African countries in future editions.

They also called on innovators, investors, and the public to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the summit.

“To the innovators, this is your stage. To the investors, this is your deal room. To the public, this is your future,” Ogwudu said.

The organisers further urged the media to play an active role in amplifying the initiative, noting that more details about keynote speakers and selected startups for the AfricaX Pitch Competition will be announced in the coming weeks.

The AfricaX Summit 2026 is expected to position Abuja as a major hub for innovation dialogue while advancing Africa’s transition toward a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy.