By Juliet Umeh

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, will deliver a keynote address at the West Africa Convergence Conference 2026, where he is expected to outline strategic policy directions for Nigeria’s digital economy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The conference, scheduled to hold on June 25 in Lagos, will focus on the growing role of technology and digital innovation in national development as the country approaches another electoral cycle.

Yilwatda’s keynote presentation will be delivered during a two-hour high-level colloquium themed, “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The event is organised by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News Africa, and will also feature the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026, which recognises individuals contributing to innovation and transformation in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.

According to the organisers, the conference, themed “Reworking Nigeria Progressively into the Digital Economy with Emerging Digital Tools,” will bring together policymakers, investors, government officials and industry leaders to discuss strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s technology-driven growth.

Yilwatda is expected to address how digital innovation can support economic transformation and national development as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.

Nigeria’s ICT and telecommunications sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years and now contributes more than 18 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, making it one of the key drivers of economic activity.

Participants expected at the conference include chief executives of ICT and telecommunications companies, leaders of data centres and internet service providers, executives from banks, fintech and insurance firms, regulators, venture capital investors, academic leaders and technology innovators.

Chairman of WACC and the recognition programme, Sola Afolabi, said the conference has remained a critical platform connecting government policy with private-sector innovation.

According to him, the event builds on more than two decades of thought leadership aimed at advancing Nigeria’s digital economy agenda.

“Building on over two decades of thought leadership through WACC and our digital economy recognition platforms, this edition reinforces the pivotal role of national political actors in shaping Nigeria’s next development cycle,” he said.

Organisers added that state governors and members of the National Assembly have been invited to participate as special guests and strategic partners at the event.

Chief Executive Officer of Knowhow Media International, Olusegun Oruame, said the conference would provide state governments with opportunities to engage directly with technology investors and industry leaders.

He noted that participating governors would also have the chance to present their states’ development priorities and digital economy initiatives during a special investors’ pitch session aimed at attracting partnerships in infrastructure development, innovation and technology-driven governance.

Oruame added that the engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and industry while positioning Nigerian states as emerging destinations for digital economy investments.