As Nigeria approaches the pivotal 2027 general elections, the intersection of political leadership, policy direction, and digital economy growth takes centre stage at the 2026 West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) in Lagos June 25, 2026 with the central theme: “Reworking Nigeria Progressively into the Digital Economy with Emerging Digital Tools.”
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will deliver the Keynote Focus Presentation at a high-level colloquium themed “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The two-hour colloquium serves as the strategic policy centrepiece of the broader WACC 2026 event, which also features the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026 Recognition Ceremony. Organized by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News. Since 2004, the gathering has brought together Nigeria’s most influential technology, telecom, finance, and policy leaders at a defining moment in the nation’s digital transformation journey.
Why This Moment Matters: Politics, Policy, and the Digital Economy Converge
With the January 2027 general elections now less than a year away, Professor Yilwatda’s keynote arrives at a critical juncture. The APC National Chairman, a seasoned technocrat and engineer who previously served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and as a Resident Electoral Commissioner, brings a unique blend of political leadership and technology expertise to the platform.
The forum provides a strategic, non-partisan but policy-forward platform to:
- Articulate the APC’s Technology and Digital Economy Blueprint (2027–2031) as a core pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda
- Engage and mobilize influential stakeholders across ICT, telecommunications, fintech, infrastructure, data, innovation, and the broader private sector
- Strengthen party–industry alignment, reinforcing commitment to economic modernization, job creation, digital inclusion, and youth participation
- Position technology-driven governance as central to Nigeria’s next phase of development
“Professor Yilwatda is not only a scholar but a seasoned technocrat whose contributions to public service and Nigeria’s digital transformation are well documented,” noted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, upon Yilwatda’s emergence as APC National Chairman.
The ICT and telecommunications sector now contributes over 18% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it one of the most significant drivers of economic activity and a critical constituency in national development planning.
Distinguished Audience: Who Will Be in the Room
The colloquium will convene an influential cross-section of Nigeria’s economic and policy leadership, including:
- CEOs of ICT and telecom companies – mobile network operators, data centres, ISPs, infrastructure and connectivity providers
- CEOs of financial institutions – banks, fintechs, insurance and insurtech firms
- Heads of key regulatory bodies and government agencies
- Leaders of professional associations – including ICT and engineering bodies
- CEOs of digital education and skills development firms
- Funding institutions and venture capital leaders
- Startup ecosystem founders and innovators
- Heads of academic institutions and research centres
This audience represents the key opinion shapers and economic actors driving Nigeria’s digital transformation—precisely the stakeholders needed to translate political vision into tangible, people-centred outcomes .
State Governors: Critical Partners in Digital Transformation
Recognizing that sub-national governments are essential drivers of digital inclusion and infrastructure expansion, WACC 2026 extends a special invitation to state governors across Nigeria to participate as Special Guests and Strategic Partners.Strategic Value for States
As Nigeria advances toward the 2027 electoral cycle, the forum presents a unique opportunity for states to position themselves as forward-looking investment destinations within Nigeria’s emerging digital economy landscape.
Tangible Benefits for Participating States
1. Investment Promotion Through Investors Pitch Session
Governors will have the opportunity to present their states’ development priorities, digital economy initiatives, industrial opportunities, and technology-enabled governance strategies directly to ICT and telecom investors actively seeking partnerships with state governments.
2. Strategic Positioning as a Digital Economy Destination
Participation will highlight states’ potential in:
- Digital infrastructure expansion
- Smart governance and public service innovation
- Youth digital skills development
- Technology-enabled entrepreneurship
This positioning can attract technology companies, innovation hubs, and digital service providers to the state .
3. Access to Technology and Telecom Industry Leaders
The conference audience includes leaders from Nigeria’s ICT, telecommunications, fintech, cloud infrastructure, and innovation ecosystem—offering states opportunities for public-private partnerships (PPP), engagement with technology investors, and exposure to digital solutions that accelerate governance and service delivery .
4. National Visibility for States’ Development Agenda
Participating states will receive extensive visibility through:
- Pre-event and post-event media coverage
- Featured interviews and press mentions
- Digital promotion across industry platforms
- Thought-leadership positioning in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem
5. Special Feature in the Nigeria Digital Economy Report 2026
States will be prominently profiled in the Nigeria Digital Economy Special Report 2026, showcasing development priorities, investment opportunities, and governance innovations under each governor’s leadership. The report will be distributed among government agencies, corporate leaders, investors, and international partners.
6. Direct Engagement with Nigeria’s Digital Economy Leadership
Governors will participate in:
- Industry Colloquium: Humanising Nigeria’s Digital Economy for People-Centred Impact
- 50 Most Influential Figures Recognition Ceremony
- Exclusive Digital Economy Leaders Business Lunch
These engagements provide opportunities for informal dialogue with influential private-sector leaders and policymakers.
“We are confident that the participation of state governors as leaders of Nigeria’s sub-nationals will strengthen collaboration between state governments and Nigeria’s digital economy stakeholders, while advancing opportunities that can deliver jobs, infrastructure growth, and technology-enabled prosperity for the people in their respective states,” said Olusegun Oruame, CEO of Knowhow Media International.
A Legacy Platform for Digital Economy Thought Leadership
The West Africa Convergence Conference has, for over two decades, served as a strategic thought-leadership platform connecting government policy with private-sector innovation. This year’s edition focuses on how emerging digital technologies can accelerate inclusive economic growth, improve governance, and unlock new investment opportunities across Nigeria.
“Building on over two decades of thought leadership through WACC, Top 50 Digital Economy Enablers, and 50 Most Valuable Personalities in Nigeria’s Digital Economy, this 2026 edition further reinforces the pivotal role of national political actors in shaping Nigeria’s next development cycle,” said Dr. Sola Afolabi, Chairman, WACC & 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026.
About the Organisers
Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa since 2004, is a leading media and market intelligence organisation focused on Africa’s technology and digital economy landscape. Through platforms like the West Africa Convergence Conference and the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy, Knowhow Media connects policy, innovation, and investment to drive sustainable development
MEDIA RELEASE – 2
WACC 2026 to Spotlight Nigeria’s Digital Economy Future as APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda Delivers Keynote Ahead of 2027 Elections
West Africa Convergence Conference and Digital Economy Recognition Ceremony bring policymakers, business leaders, and state governments together to shape Nigeria’s technology-driven growth strategy.
Nigeria’s technology, telecom, and digital innovation ecosystem will take centre stage at the West Africa Convergence Conference 2026 (WACC 2026), where industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and government officials will gather to discuss the future of the country’s digital economy.
The conference will be held Thursday June 25, 2026 in Lagos alongside the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026, a major industry recognition platform celebrating individuals driving innovation and transformation in Nigeria’s technology sector. This year’s edition major theme is “Reworking Nigeria Progressively into the Digital Economy with Emerging Digital Tools.”
Organised by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News Africasince 2004, the event has become one of the region’s longest-running platforms connecting government policy with private-sector innovation.
APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda to Deliver Strategic Keynote on where politics, public policy, and private-sector innovation intersect.
The 2026 edition of WACC will feature a high-profile keynote presentation by Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Professor Yilwatda will deliver the Keynote Focus Presentation at a two-hour high-level policy colloquium themed:
“Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The session is expected to provide strategic insights into how technology and digital innovation can drive economic transformation as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 national elections.
According to organisers, the keynote represents a critical moment where politics, public policy, and private-sector innovation intersect, providing clarity on how the country’s political leadership intends to harness the digital economy as a key pillar of national development.
The keynote presentation will address a distinguished audience of senior stakeholders shaping Nigeria’s economic and digital future.
Participants are expected to include:
- CEOs of ICT and telecommunications companies
- Leaders of data centres, internet service providers, and infrastructure firms
- Executives from banks, fintech companies, insurance and insurtech organisations
- Heads of regulatory agencies and government institutions
- Venture capital investors and startup ecosystem leaders
- Academic leaders and professional associations
The forum will provide a unique policy-forward but non-partisan platform where government leaders engage directly with business stakeholders.
Experts note that the ICT and telecommunications sector now contributes more than 18 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, making technology policy a crucial factor in the country’s economic future.
Why WACC 2026 Matters for Nigeria’s Business Community
For Nigeria’s private sector, particularly companies operating in the digital economy, WACC 2026 represents a strategic dialogue platform where national policy direction meets market innovation.
The event aims to:
- Strengthen collaboration between government and technology businesses
- Mobilise industry stakeholders around Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda
- Encourage investment in infrastructure, innovation, and digital skills development
- Align political vision with private-sector execution capacity
According to Sola Afolabi, the conference builds on more than two decades of thought leadership connecting policymakers and the technology ecosystem.
“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,” Afolabi said.
Strategic Importance of State Government Participation
Organisers have also extended invitations to state governors and members of the National Assembly to participate as Special Guests and Strategic Partners.
The participation of state governments is expected to play a critical role in advancing technology-driven development at the subnational level.
According to Olusegun Oruame, CEO of Knowhow Media, the conference offers state leaders a unique platform to present their development agenda to investors and technology industry stakeholders.
Opportunities for States to Attract Investment
State governors participating in the conference will have the opportunity to present their states’ development priorities during a 20-minute Investors Pitch Session.
This engagement will allow states to highlight:
- Digital economy initiatives
- Infrastructure and connectivity projects
- Technology-enabled governance strategies
- Investment opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship
The platform is expected to attract technology investors, telecom operators, infrastructure companies, and innovation hubs interested in expanding across Nigeria’s states.
Strengthening State–Industry Partnerships
Participation will also allow states to:
- Engage directly with technology investors and global digital infrastructure providers
- Explore public–private partnership opportunities
- Promote youth digital skills and innovation initiatives
- Position their states as emerging digital economy investment destinations
States will also gain national visibility through media coverage and inclusion in the Nigeria Digital Economy Special Report 2026, which will highlight subnational innovation and investment opportunities.
Driving Nigeria’s Digital Future
With Nigeria’s digital economy continuing to expand rapidly, organisers say the 2026 edition of WACC will play a pivotal role in shaping discussions on technology-driven governance, innovation-led economic growth, and public-private collaboration.
As the country approaches the 2027 elections, the conference is expected to serve as an important platform where political leaders, business executives, and innovation stakeholders align their vision for Nigeria’s digital future.
