By 9:00 AM (WAT), the iconic venue will come alive with the buzz of Africa’s leading technology minds, innovators, regulators, investors, and thought leaders, all gathered to explore this year’s powerful theme: “AI and Sovereign Tech: Building Africa’s Digital Independence.”

At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and redefining economies, AfriTECH 5.0 promises to spark vital conversations on how homegrown innovation and sovereign technologies can power Africa’s digital future, safely, securely, and sustainably.

Meet the Voices Shaping Africa’s Tech Future

The 2025 edition brings together a stellar lineup of speakers and industry leaders including:

• Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC);
• Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC);
• Prof. Obadare Peter Adewale, Founder/Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode Ltd;
• George Agu, MD/CEO, ActivEdge Technologies Ltd;
• Tokunboh George-Taylor, CEO, SKOT Communications;
• Muhammed Rudman, CEO, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN);
• Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO, Digital Realty Nigeria; and
• Dr. (Mrs.) Ebehijie Momoh, CEO, Afrorgy Financial Services Ltd.

They will be joined by other brilliant minds including

• Happiness Obohia, CEO, Tizeti Cybersecurity;
• Chukwuemeka Enoch Mbabaie, Convener, Lagos Blockchain Week;
• Chidi Okpala, Personal Branding Coach; and
• John Itodo, an AI & Tech Innovator for Emerging Markets, among others.

Together, these experts will explore how Africa can leverage AI, indigenous technology, and data-driven systems to strengthen its digital sovereignty and global competitiveness.

A Platform for Bold Ideas and Real Impact

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTECH 5.0, said:

“AfriTECH 5.0 promises a robust and interactive agenda featuring keynote presentations from global tech leaders, panel discussions on data governance, fintech inclusion, and AI ethics, plus exhibitions showcasing some of Africa’s most exciting innovations. The highlight of the event will be the prestigious Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to Africa’s digital ecosystem.”

This year’s edition also includes a Fireside Chat hosted by Lagos Blockchain Week, where participants will unpack the potential of decentralized systems and blockchain innovation in enabling transparent governance and financial inclusion.

Building Collaboration for Africa’s Tech Future

AfriTECH 5.0 is supported by a coalition of technology enablers and sponsors, a reflection of the ecosystem’s growing unity and shared purpose.

Digital Encode Limited leads as the Platinum Sponsor, while itel, SKOT Communications, Tecom, Afrigo Payment Financial Services Limited, Tizel Cybersecurity, and ActivEdge Technologies, are the Gold Sponsors.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also lends its support as an institutional partner.

Participation at AfriTECH 5.0 is free, but registration is mandatory. Interested participants can sign up via the link HERE.

George Agu, the MD/CEO of ActivEdge Technologies Limited, is an astute founder and technology leader whose illustrious career spans over twenty-five years across core banking systems, enterprise applications, fintech, cybersecurity, and AI-powered e-government services.

His experience blends strong technical expertise with strategic business leadership, having successfully built and scaled enterprise and public-sector technology platforms across West, East, and Southern Africa.

A Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Agu is also an alumnus of The Wharton School and the London School of Economics (LSE) through executive education, with specialisations in Entrepreneurship Acceleration, FinTech Revolution, Strategic Innovation, and Public Policy Analysis.

He began his professional journey as a software developer at CSA Nigeria in 2000, later joining Neptune Software, where he rose from Systems Implementation Manager to Managing Director/CEO for West Africa. At Neptune, he played a pivotal role in the success of the Equinox and Orbit core-banking platforms, with Orbit earning the No. 1 global ranking in microfinance core banking by CGAP (Washington DC).

As a serial founder, Agu established ActivEdge Technologies, a pan-African systems integrator delivering solutions in cybersecurity, GRC, enterprise automation, cloud, and core infrastructure, executing projects in more than six African countries.

He went on to found PayEdge, a fintech company addressing MSME liquidity and supply-chain finance challenges, and Introspec, a settlement and reconciliation platform used by banks in over fifteen African countries.

His latest innovation, HarmonyEdge, is an AI-powered e-government platform that digitises workflows, enables analytics and decisioning, supports citizen engagement, and powers payment and e-reconciliation systems, currently being piloted in a leading African nation.

Beyond entrepreneurship, George Agu contributes actively at board and civic levels. He serves on the Abia State Global Economic Advisory Council, chairing a sector committee, and on the board of TN Cybertech Bank, where he leads the Technology and Strategy Committee.

He also chairs the Business Roundtable of the African Bar Association and serves as Deputy President of the South East–South South Professionals.

Speaking ahead of AfriTECH 5.0, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener, described Agu as a “seasoned technology visionary whose work embodies the spirit of African innovation and digital self-reliance.”

“His keynote will provide practical insights on how AI and sovereign technologies can redefine digital transformation across Africa’s public and private sectors”, Onwuegbuchi said.

AfriTECH 5.0 will convene industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to explore the role of AI and indigenous technologies in driving Africa’s digital independence.

The event is supported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with Digital Encode Limited as the Platinum Sponsor.

Other Gold sponsors are Galaxy Backbone, itel, Digital Realty, ActivEdge Technologies, Tecom, Tizel Cybersecurity, AfriGoPay Financial Services Limited, SKOT Communications and other ecosystem partners.

Registration is ongoing via the portal.

The four companies, accompanied by other gold sponsors are; itel, SKOT Communications, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), and Digital Realty with the Nigerian Communications Commission offering partner support. They will showcase cutting-edge solutions across cybersecurity, telecom infrastructure, and payment innovation, reflecting AfriTECH’s goal of promoting Africa’s digital independence and resilience.

Slated for Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, the fifth edition of AfriTECH will hold under the theme: “AI & Sovereign Tech: Building Africa’s Digital Independence.”

AfriGOpay: Driving Inclusion through Homegrown Payment Infrastructure

AfriGOpay Financial Services Ltd (AFSL), operator of Nigeria’s domestic card scheme AfriGO, will feature prominently at AfriTECH 5.0.

Backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), AfriGOpay is advancing financial inclusion, reducing transaction costs, and promoting local innovation in payments.

The firm will showcase its growing suite of debit, prepaid, credit, and virtual cards, alongside contactless “tap-to-pay” technology, designed to support Nigeria’s cashless policy and empower millions of consumers and businesses.

“AfriGOpay’s presence at AfriTECH 5.0 underscores our vision of building a secure, inclusive, and self-sustaining payments ecosystem,” said Dr. Ebehijie Momoh, MD/CEO of AfriGOpay Financial Services Ltd. “We look forward to engaging innovators and policymakers to advance financial access across Africa.”

ActivEdge Technologies: Powering Secure Digital Transformation across Africa

Operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, ActivEdge Technologies is a pan-African IT solutions provider specializing in cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.

At AfriTECH 5.0, the company will highlight its Zero-Trust security frameworks, digital transformation tools, and enterprise-grade cloud platforms that enable secure modernization for public and private institutions.

“Our mission is to help organizations innovate confidently by embedding security into every layer of transformation,” said Mr. George Agu, CEO of ActivEdge Technologies. “AfriTECH provides an ideal platform to showcase how African enterprises can adopt global-standard solutions built for local realities.”

Tizel Cybersecurity: Safeguarding Africa’s Digital Future

Tizel Cybersecurity continues to make waves in Nigeria’s digital economy with its broad range of services spanning threat detection, network protection, data security, and cybersecurity training.

At AfriTECH 5.0, Tizel will demonstrate how enterprises can manage secure digital transformation and regulatory compliance amid an increasingly complex cyber-threat landscape.

Happiness Obioha, CEO of Tizel Cybersecurity, said attendees can expect “live threat-detection demos, compliance workshops, and interactive sessions on data protection and incident response.”

Tecom Concepts: Bridging Telecom and Cybersecurity

Tecom Concepts Limited, a provider of ICT and telecom solutions, is recognized for strategic partnerships and certifications that drive connectivity and resilience.

The company recently partnered with PECB to offer ISO/IEC 27001 information-security training across Nigeria and with Cambium Networks to deliver next-generation wireless networking solutions.

At AfriTECH 5.0, Tecom will exhibit enterprise-grade broadband and Wi-Fi equipment, access-control systems, and optical-networking solutions, showcasing how secure connectivity underpins Africa’s digital growth.

A Convergence of Security, Connectivity, and Inclusion

The participation of AfriGOpay, ActivEdge, Tizel, and Tecom underscores the synergy between security, infrastructure, and inclusion, three pillars vital to Africa’s digital transformation.

According to Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTECH 5.0,

“Whether it’s safeguarding data, building robust networks, or enabling inclusive payment systems, these companies are advancing the shared vision of a safer, smarter, and more independent digital Africa.”

AfriTECH is an annual technology leadership forum convening policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss strategies for sustainable digital transformation across Africa.

The 2025 edition will feature keynote sessions, exhibitions, and panels on emerging technologies including AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure.

Set to take place at Oriential Hotels, Lekki Road, Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday November-07-2024, AfriTECH 4.0 is Africa’s premier technology and innovation conference, uniting industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and tech enthusiasts from across the continent.

The theme for AfriTECH 4.0, “Leapfrogging Digital Transformation for Future of Africa’s Economy,” reflects the urgent need to harness technology for sustainable development across the region.

This year’s sponsors include major players in ecommerce (Direct Selling), telecommunications, artificial intelligence/blockchain technology, finance/digital assets, and cybersecurity, each recognized for their contributions to shaping Africa’s digital economy.

Official Sponsors of AfriTECH 4.0:

QNET – GOLD SPONSOR

QNET is a prominent lifestyle and wellness company that uses a direct selling business model to offer a wide selection of exclusive products that enable individuals to embrace a healthier, more balanced life.

Since 1998, QNET’s innovative products and e-commerce-driven business model have helped build a global community of satisfied customers and microentrepreneurs, who are driven by the mission of RYTHM – Raise Yourself To Help Mankind.

Popular product brands offered by QNET include the Bernhard H. Mayer range of luxury watches and jewellery, HomePure range of home care products, the Amezcua wellness range, Physio Radiance personal care range, and QVI branded holiday packages.

QNET proudly holds memberships in the Direct Selling Association in several countries, the Hong Kong Health Food Association, the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore, and more. QNET is also active in several global sports sponsorships including in its role as the official direct selling partner of the Manchester City Football Club and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), underscoring its commitment to excellence and global reach.

Galaxy Backbone

Galaxy Backbone was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to operate a nationwide IP-based network that will provide a common platform for connectivity and other infrastructure services for all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Galaxy Backbone currently owns and operates a 1482Km optical fibre backbone from Abuja across 13 states of the federation, with 19 more states coming. They also own and operate a 375km metro optical fibre network covering Abuja and other parts of the FCT.

As one of the telecommunications services provider in Africa, Galaxy Backbone’s sponsorship underlines the importance of robust connectivity infrastructure in driving digital transformation. GBB will showcase its innovative services and network solutions designed to empower businesses and individuals across Africa.

Digital Realty (Nigeria)

Digital Realty Nigeria is a data center operator that offers colocation, interconnection, and data center solutions.

As part of Digital Realty, a global data center provider with over 300 facilities in more than 25 countries, Digital Realty Nigeria offers secure and scalable infrastructure, access to undersea cables, and carriers to connect to Europe and the Mediterranean.

Digital Realty Nigeria has a data center in Lagos, Nigeria, called LOS1, located at 8A Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island. Digital Realty Nigeria also has a data center in the Lekki area of Lagos, and plans for a fourth campus in the Ikeja area.

Hyperspace Technologies

Hyperspace Technologies is a Lagos-based web3 startup that offers web solutions, including websites, web applications, branding, marketing, and hosting. The company also has a focus on security, with a patented product called cipherKEY tap2sign MFA that uses blockchain, public/private key cryptography, and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology to protect against identity theft, phishing, and social engineering.

Open Access Data Centres (OADC)

With the development of Africa’s digital economy a significant driving force for the continent’s economic growth, the launch of Open Access Data Centres (OADC) represents a major milestone for Africa: a US$500 million-plus, multi-year investment programme that will strengthen key elements of the continent’s digital infrastructure.

OADC has made a significant impact on the market in terms of its rapid speed in building a network of data centres and flexible client solutions. Learn more about OADC at AfriTECh 4.0.

Honourable Mentions: Several other sponsors and ecosystem partners, including leading tech startups and industry associations, are contributing to the success of AfriTECH 4.0, ensuring the event delivers on its promise to be a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration, and thought leadership.

They include, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Digital Encode Limited, Tecom, Northsnow, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), AfriGoPay Financial Services Limited, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Cyberchain, Lagos Blockchain Week, InnovationBed Africa, amongst others.

AfriTECH 4.0 will feature keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions, focusing on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure.

This year’s sponsors will take center stage to share their insights and offer practical solutions to the challenges facing Africa’s digital economy.

Speaking on the sponsorships, Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener, and AfriTECH 4.0 Organizing Committee Chairman, said:

“We are excited to have such a strong group of sponsors onboard for AfriTECH 4.0. These organizations are not only leaders in their respective fields but also catalysts for change in Africa’s digital ecosystem. Their support underscores the importance of collaboration in shaping Africa’s digital future.”

AfriTECH 4.0 is expected to draw hundreds of attendees, including government representatives, business executives, technology experts, and innovators from across the continent and beyond. With the support of its sponsors, AfriTECH 4.0 is set to be a landmark event, driving conversations and initiatives that will propel Africa’s digital economy to new heights.

For more information about AfriTECH 4.0, including sponsorship opportunities, visit the website.

Participation is free, but you are required to register via the link here.

AfriTECH 4.0 in partnership with Techeconomy also enlisted the support of esteemed media platforms such as: Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, ITPulse.com.ng, DigiVation Network (AIT), Ravenewsonline, Techbuild.Africa, TechTrends.Africa, TechTv, TechLifeWithUgo, GrassRoots.ng, ITNews.ng, Tech and Business News, BusinessRemarks, ITRealms, DigitalTimesng.com, TechnologyMirror, CyberEra, Businessmetrics, SwiftReporters and Hyperscalers Africa Media.

The gala event, held in Lagos on September 22, celebrated excellence and innovation in the technology sector.

The Tech Innovation Awards (TIA) is an annual event that recognizes outstanding contributions and breakthrough innovations within the technology and IT services industry. The “Innovative Managed IT Services Provider of the Year” award is a testament to Tecom’s commitment to excellence, cutting-edge solutions, and unwavering dedication to its clients.

Speaking on the awards, Akin Naphtal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), InstinctWave in his welcome address, said the event was set up to celebrate the brilliance, ingenuity, and incredible impact of the tech industry in Nigeria.

Tecom has consistently demonstrated its prowess in providing innovative and reliable managed IT services, catering to the evolving needs of businesses in an increasingly digital landscape.

This award not only reflects the company’s exceptional achievements but also underscores its forward-thinking approach to delivering tailored IT solutions.

Mr. Duke Anselam, the Chief Executive Officer of Tecom, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating,

“We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our entire team at Tecom. We remain committed to delivering top-tier managed IT services that empower businesses to thrive in the digital age.”

Tecom’s services encompass a wide array of IT solutions, including managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital transformation.

They have consistently delivered exceptional results, assisting businesses in optimizing their IT infrastructure and staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

Tecom’s commitment to excellence extends beyond this award, as they continue to leverage cutting-edge technology to drive business growth and foster digital transformation for their clients.

The software giant which was attracted to Nigeria by one of its West Africa partners, Tecom, brought Data Loss Prevention, DLP, Forcepoint ONE and Forcepoint New Generation Firewall, NGFW software packages.

DLP enables businesses to discover, classify, monitor, and protect data intuitively with zero friction to the user experience. It audits behavior in real-time with Risk-Adaptive Protection to stop data loss before it occurs.

Forcepoint ONE is a unified gateway for web, cloud, and private app access – Identity-based access control to business applications managed in one place for secure web gateway, SWG, cloud access security broker, CASB, and zero trust network access, ZTNA.

Forcepoint NGFW connects and protects people and data accessed throughout an organization’s offices, branches, and the cloud. Through a single console, Forcepoint NGFW enables security teams to deploy, monitor, and update thousands of firewalls, VPNs and IPSs rapidly, whether in-house or via a managed service provider

Explaining why these data solutions are important in the new datacentric work environment, Senior Sales Engineering Manager, Middle East and Africa, Mohamed El Shenawy said that data is the Lifeblood of business and threat vectors are increasing in sophistication, putting sensitive data under constant attack.

He said from exfiltration and ransomware compliance challenges with new regulations, securing data in remote work environments is now, more than any other time, very imperative.

He said the mission of Data Protection is to protect important data wherever it resides without frustrating users, overwhelming Administrators, or mistaking attackers for real users.

For him, Forcepoint Enterprise DLP controls all customer data with one single policy, replacing broad, sweeping rules with individualized, adaptive data security that doesn’t slow down customer’s employees. It also blocks actions only where the user needs to, and drive productivity and simplify compliance with predefined policies.

The solution makes it possible to view and control all of the customer’s data with the industry’s largest pre-defined policy library. Ensure regulatory compliance across 80+ countries for GDPR, CCPA and more. Deploy data classification with Boldon James and Azure Information Protection. Protect critical intellectual property with unsurpassed accuracy; protect PII and PHI, company financials, trade secrets, credit card data, and other pieces of sensitive customer data-even in images.

It follows intellectual property (IP) in both structured and unstructured forms and stop low and slow data theft even when user devices are off-network.

It also prevents data breaches automatically blocking actions based on an individual user’s risk level with Risk-adaptive data protection.

On Forcepoint One, EL Shenawy said the solution simplifies security, changing the old way of security management where everything is forced through a data center, to a more modern and simplified method of cloud data management which embraces Zero Trust, manages policies in one place and Pushes enforcement out to the edge

He said FOne represents ONE cloud-native, Zero Trust platform, ONE set of policies for web, cloud, private apps ONE unified way to secure data and ONE integrated cloud console.

Why is Forcepoint One important? He said: ”According to data center security trends 2022, by 2025, 80 percent of enterprises will have adopted a strategy to unify web, cloud services and private application access from a single vendor’s security service edge (SSE) platform. Also by same time, 30 percent of enterprises will have adopted a data security platform (DSP), due to the pent-up demand for higher levels of data security and the rapid increase in product capabilities and 70 percent of organizations will consolidate the number of vendors securing the life cycle of cloud native applications to a maximum of three vendors”.

Forcepoint delivers all these packages in Nigeria, aided by the deep industry knowledge of its partner, Tecom, a global system integrator and managed service provider with expertise and capabilities across many industries.

Tecom’s business functions deliver digital innovation solutions to support businesses.

Happiness Obioha, MD and Sales Director Tecom, says her company always shops for deep understanding with clients in different industries, to be able to work closely and understand their pain points, what is critical to their businesses and support them by providing expert guidance and solutions that meet and exceed expectations.

In addition to having a team of highly specialized experts with unique skills in different areas of expertise, the company has competencies in main three ICT network areas-Cybersecurity, Application & Licensing and Network & Infrastructure.

Those competencies help it deliver services which enable organizations drive excellence in Cyber security, IT Operations, and seamlessly integrate data for increased profitability across all areas of operations.

According to Obioha, Tecom designs and deliver tailored infrastructure and security solutions for the specific needs of organizations. “We possess an uncommon ability to anticipate ICT trends and future needs of our customers using people, process and technology to deliver scalable and actionable strategies that meet organisations’ unique security framework” she said.