Africa stands at the edge of a technological turning point. Across the continent, Artificial Intelligence (AI), data and digital systems are redefining how people trade, communicate, build, heal and govern. For the first time in generations, frontier technologies present a realistic pathway for African nations to leapfrog decades of underdevelopment and accelerate shared prosperity. But this new digital promise comes with a warning: without sustainability, ethics, inclusion and responsible innovation, progress could deepen inequality rather than dismantle it.
It is against this backdrop that the Innovative Technology (InnTech) Summit 2025, themed “AI, Digital Economy and Sustainability,” will convene some of the brightest thinkers, policymakers and innovators shaping Africa’s next chapter. Designed as a high-level, multi-stakeholder gathering, the summit will explore how the continent can harness emerging technologies to drive inclusive growth while protecting the environment and preparing for a rapidly evolving global economy. As the world races toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, Nigeria and Africa stand at a pivotal moment where policy, innovation and responsible deployment of technology must intersect to ensure a greener, more resilient future.
Digital transformation is rewriting economic logic around the world, from smart agriculture and telemedicine to fintech, intelligent infrastructure and industry automation. In Nigeria and across Africa, where youthful populations and entrepreneurial energy create fertile ground for innovation, AI and digital systems could unlock unprecedented productivity. Yet the continent must confront critical questions: How do we adopt powerful technologies without harming our ecosystems? Who protects citizens’ data? How do we build AI systems that amplify, not erase, human potential? And how do we ensure that innovation aligns with sustainability and long-term resilience?
The summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside conversations and innovation exhibitions. On the speaker lineup are CEO, Verraki Partners, Niyi Yusuf; UN Women Consultant, Hansatu Adegbite Country Manager, Cisco, AbdulAziz Saidu; CEO, PIPA, Lola Adey; CEO, NESG, Tayo Aduloju; CEO, iCentra, Taopheek Babayeju.
Others are the CEO, ipNX Business, Oluseyi Lala; CEO, Fiducia International, Chukwuka Amadife; CEO, Management Edge, Rex Abitogun; InnTech/Regional Director, Avanti, Reuben Oshomah and Policy Director, Women’s World Banking, Stephen Ambore.
The InnTech Summit is designed not just for talk, but for tangible impact. Expected outcomes include a Communiqué on responsible AI and sustainable digital transformation, the launch of Green Digital Africa, a cross-sector initiative promoting environmentally responsible innovation, and exhibitions showcasing solutions that advance the SDGs. The platform will also deepen collaboration between government, private sector leaders, investors, academia, development partners and young digital talent.
Africa’s farmers, traders, students, civil servants and informal workers stand to benefit from a digital-first, climate-smart economy. AI can improve crop yields, optimize energy use, expand financial access, modernize supply chains and strengthen governance. Nigeria alone could add billions in economic value through a well-structured digital economy backed by sustainability principles. But the continent must build its technological future deliberately with policies that encourage innovation, protect citizens, attract investment and safeguard natural resources.
At the heart of the InnTech Summit is a simple message: technology must serve people, not the other way around. If Africa can align innovation with sustainability, the continent will not merely catch up with the world, it will help redefine it. With the right partnerships, ethical frameworks and committed investment in digital talent, AI and the digital economy could become Africa’s strongest instruments for prosperity, resilience and global relevance. InnTech 2025 aims to be the catalyst that turns possibility into policy, vision into innovation, and innovation into a greener, smarter and more inclusive African future.
