As the global race for digital supremacy intensifies, Africa stands at a critical juncture: continue as a consumer of foreign technology or emerge as a primary architect of the new economy.
This was the central theme of the keynote address delivered by Shoyinka Shodunke, chief Information Officer of MTN Nigeria and newly appointed Executive, IT Core Design for MTN Group, at the Tech Revolution Africa 2.0 conference held recently.
Speaking on “The Digital Economy Forecast for 2026,” Shodunke issued a stern warning to African innovators and policymakers, noting that history punishes hesitation.
The Historical Deficit: Learning from Past Revolutions
Shodunke provided a sobering retrospective on Africa’s role in previous global shifts, highlighting a pattern of marginalization that the continent must now break.
- 1st Industrial Revolution: Africa was completely absent.
- 2nd Industrial Revolution: The continent was relegated to a provider of raw materials.
- 3rd Industrial Revolution: Africa participated merely as a consumer of finished tech products.
According to the MTN CIO, the fourth digital revolution offers a uniquely level playing field because the factory has shifted from physical plants to the cloud.
“The inputs today are data, cloud, and talent. The factory now sits in the cloud. For the very first time, Africa has an opportunity not just to participate, but to lead,” Shodunke stated.
Leadership, Not Capital, is the “Greatest Risk”
In a departure from the common narrative that lacks of funding is the primary bottleneck for African tech, Shodunke identified leadership as the continent’s most significant hurdle.
He argued that the current era demands bold leadership capable of disrupting legacy revenues and outdated mindsets.
He cautioned against the comfort of committee meetings, urging a move toward decisive, disruptive action.
Case Study: MTN’s Evolution Beyond Connectivity
Using MTN Nigeria as a benchmark, Shodunke illustrated how legacy players can pivot to stay relevant. He noted that while connectivity and data have become commodities, the real value, and the future of profitability, lies in:
- Cloud Services
- Fintech Integration
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
“The real value is in building intelligence on top of those commodities,” he noted, adding that winners in the 2026 forecast will be those who monetize data through AI and cloud-based intelligence.
Call to Action for African Youths
The event, which brought together policymakers, startups, and investors, culminated in a call to action for the continent’s youth. Shodunke emphasized that history does not reward those who wait for certainty.
The conference also saw the presentation of the Pan-African Technology Leader of the Year award to Shodunke, recognizing his role in advancing the continent’s digital ecosystem and his consistent leadership in IT transformation.
For Africa to hit the ambitious economic targets set for 2026 and beyond, the strategy must shift from commodity-based participation to intelligence-based leadership.
With a youthful population and increasing cloud adoption, the tools are available; the question remains whether African leadership is ready to disrupt itself to seize the moment.
