GTA Conference Sets the Stage for Technological Transformation in Africa

Mary Nnah

The inaugural edition of the Global Tech Africa (GTA) Conference held recently in Lagos, Nigeria was a four-day event which served as a pivotal platform for the advancement of Africa’s digital economy, providing unparalleled insights into the potential and future of the continent’s tech ecosystem.

The conference kicked off with a private reception hosted by Dr. Herbert Wigwe, the founder of the HOW Foundation and Wigwe University. The reception was a gathering of stakeholders and international partners, to set the stage, and kick off collaboration conversations.  

The main event began with a keynote speech by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) of Nigeria, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, where he highlighted Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s tech capital.

In his keynote address, he outlined the government’s commitment to partnering with various entities to create a platform, fostering networking and idea generation.

“The government is partnering with NGOs, organisations, foundations, and the international community to create this platform so that we can network and brainstorm ideas on how to enact policies that can enable the ecosystem and position Nigeria as a digital powerhouse in the global landscape,” he said.

Implementation Partner of the GTA Conference, Dr. Inya Lawal,  emphasised the collaborative nature of the conference, highlighting its role as a catalyst for driving digital transformation across Africa.

Stressing the interdependence of the public and private sectors, she emphasised the need for joint efforts to propel the tech industry forward,  as a catalyst for initiating crucial conversations and united planning to steer Africa’s tech ecosystem toward sustainable growth.

“GTA is that platform where the government and private sectors can collaborate in impactful partnerships to foster Africa’s tech ecosystem. We need each other and we also need to find alliances that work for us”, she added.

The first day of the conference featured roundtable sessions and panels moderated by Dr. Emmanuel Tarfa, Ms. Bashira Hassan, and Mr. Toye Oyewunmi. Topics included international frameworks for startups, the significance of data tracking in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, and strategies to harness human resources for technological advancement. In line with the conference’s objectives, a rapid-fire session discussing the advancement of Nigeria’s digital economy and growth was one of the core highlights of the conference. Present were Engr. Jennifer Adighije, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship Development in Innovation and Digital Economy;  Charles Odii, the Director PoliticalGeneral, of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN); and the moderator, Kenise Hill, the Deputy and Economic Chief, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos.

International stakeholders, including the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), participated in discussions focused on digitising Africa’s tech ecosystem.

As the Global Tech Africa Conference was also focused on nurturing young talent, a spotlight was thrown on startup acceleration in tertiary institutions and improving student experience through tech, featuring young student founders such as Sola Owonikoko, who led the panel.

The GTA Conference recognises the pivotal role of diversity in fostering innovation. The empowerment of African women is essential for advancing their digital capabilities to the next level. The panel was led by Dr. Olori Boye Ajayi, and it included Steffi Czerny, co-founder of the DLD Conference, and Julia Klockner, a member of the German Parliament.

As a key partner in this transformative event, DLD actively participated in crucial discussions that shaped the narrative around Africa’s burgeoning tech space. These discussions spanned from the challenges faced by women tech entrepreneurs in Africa to initiatives aimed at empowering women to harness technology in their businesses.

The GTA Conference also hosted a pitch session and seed funding for young tech founders, with Rukayat Kolawole emerging as the winner, securing a $20,000 “SAFE” investment in her startup, Regxta. The company provides quick and simple access to small businesses in rural areas with a specific target for internally displaced persons and refugees.