Already, an impressive lineup of keynote speakers has confirmed attendance, including Dr. Armstrong Takang, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI); Prof. Latif Ladid, Founder and President of the IPv6 Forum and Chair of the AI & Blockchain Global Forum; and Dr. Vincent Olagunju, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), among others.

This year’s conference, themed “Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Voice in the Global AI Order,” will examine how the continent can assert technological sovereignty and define its own path in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

Ahead of the event, the Chairman of Digital Africa Global Consult and convener of DACE, Dr. Evans Woherem, said the theme underscores Africa’s urgent need to be an active participant in shaping the global AI order rather than a passive onlooker.

“We are entering an era powered by artificial intelligence,” Dr. Woherem stated. “Just as electricity became the invisible force behind modern civilization, intelligence will soon be embedded in almost everything. AI will not only exist as a standalone technology but will also be integrated into our daily lives, from cars to communications, healthcare, governance, and even social interaction.”

He likened the current global competition in AI development to an arms race, with major powers such as the United States, China, Europe, and South Korea vying for dominance, warning that Africa must not stand aside in this race or risk being digitally recolonized.

“Whoever controls intelligence will control the world,” he warned. “Global tech giants such as Google, Meta, X, Netflix, are gathering enormous amounts of data from Africa. Data is the new gold, and the more we allow it to be mined and exported without ownership or regulation, the poorer we become.”

Dr. Woherem stressed the importance of data sovereignty and decolonization, insisting that African nations must take control of the data produced within their borders and ensure it serves their own development agenda.

“When we use foreign technologies, we unconsciously adopt foreign cultures and standards,” he noted. “Africa must develop its own frameworks, policies, and ethical codes that reflect our Ubuntu philosophy of ‘I am because you are.’ We need to promote communalism over individualism.”

He further argued that Africa must contribute to setting global standards in technology and AI ethics, incorporating its human-centred values into system design and governance.

“We must teach the world how to be human again,” he said. “Africa is the cradle of humanity, and we must lead in humanizing technology, ensuring that AI serves people, not the other way around.”

The Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition is one of the continent’s longest-running technology gatherings, bringing together policymakers, innovators, researchers, and investors to explore strategies for leveraging digital technologies to accelerate Africa’s development.

This year’s edition will focus on AI ethics, data sovereignty, indigenous innovation, and the continent’s role in shaping the future of global intelligence systems.

How can Africa remain safe and powerful in a world being rapidly redefined by Artificial Intelligence? That pressing question will take centre stage at the 13th Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition (DACE), scheduled for October 28–29, 2025, in Abuja.

The two-day gathering will be anchored by two powerhouse keynote speakers: Dr. Armstrong Takang on Day 1 and Prof. Latif Ladid on Day 2, each bringing unique expertise to Africa’s digital sovereignty conversation.

Dr. Armstrong Takang, managing director/CEO of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), will open the conference with a keynote that situates Africa’s digital sovereignty within the broader context of economic reform, institutional innovation, and strategic governance.

A consummate professional and visionary thinker, Dr. Takang has spent decades bridging the gap between public reform and private investment across Africa and the United States. Before his current role at MOFI, he served as Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, where he led the MOFI Transformation Team.

His career includes leading Growth Alliance Partners (GAP), a pan-African firm that helped turn around several businesses to create shareholder value, and working at KPMG in New York.

He has been instrumental in designing and implementing key national initiatives such as the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), and the ICT components of EFCC/NFIU systems.

Dr. Takang has also chaired national ICT committees and contributed to landmark policies, including Nigeria’s Content Development in ICT and the country’s 50-year Development Plan. His keynote will highlight how digital and financial sovereignty intersect to secure Africa’s long-term competitiveness.

On the other hand, Prof. Latif Ladid, Founder & President of the IPv6 Forum and Chair of the AI & Blockchain Global Forum, brings decades of global leadership in internet architecture, digital policy, and emerging technologies.

His expertise spans across pivotal roles from IEEE Future Networks to the Internet Society, 3GPP, and EU research on next-generation networks.

Organizers say his keynote will set the tone for the conference, unpacking how Africa can assert digital sovereignty, safeguard its data, and lead in shaping the ethics and standards of AI on the global stage.

“This year’s theme, ‘Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Voice in the Global Digital Order,’ isn’t just a concept, it’s a necessity,” said Dr. Evans Woherem, chairman of Digital Africa Consult. “Prof. Ladid’s keynote will highlight what it takes for Africa to remain safe, independent, and powerful in the new AI era.”

At a time when global powers are racing to define AI norms and secure digital dominance, Africa risks being left behind if it fails to act. Much of its technology remains imported, its data stored abroad, and its languages invisible in mainstream AI systems.

DACE 2025 is designed to change this narrative, by equipping Africa with the tools, strategies, and partnerships to become a proactive co-author of the digital future.

The conference will feature high-level dialogues on digital sovereignty, policy innovation, and cross-border cooperation, alongside exhibitions of homegrown startups, developer workshops, and showcases of African-built AI tools for health, agriculture, finance, and education.

Beyond the panels and showcases, DACE 2025 is expected to produce a concrete roadmap for Africa’s digital sovereignty.

“This isn’t just about technology,” noted Woherem. “It’s about agency, safety, and independence. With Prof. Ladid setting the stage, we hope to leave Abuja with a united vision of Africa’s place in the global AI order.”

With delegates expected from across Africa and the world, the two-day gathering promises to be a defining moment in the continent’s digital journey.