By Kingsley Samuel
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, is set to outline strategic policy directions that could influence Nigeria’s broader technology ecosystem, including the fast-growing health technology space, when he delivers a keynote address at the West Africa Convergence Conference 2026.
The conference, scheduled for June 25 in Lagos, will focus on the expanding role of digital innovation in national development, with particular attention to policy frameworks expected to shape Nigeria’s digital economy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda’s keynote will be delivered during a two-hour high-level colloquium themed “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.” Stakeholders say the discussions could provide signals on future government priorities around emerging technologies that increasingly underpin sectors such as telemedicine, digital health records, artificial intelligence, and data infrastructure.
Organised by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News Africa, the event will also feature the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026, recognising individuals contributing to innovation and digital transformation across the country’s technology ecosystem.
According to the organisers, the conference, themed “Reworking Nigeria Progressively into the Digital Economy with Emerging Digital Tools,” will convene policymakers, investors, government officials and industry leaders to explore strategies for strengthening technology-driven growth.
For Nigeria’s emerging health technology ecosystem, policy clarity around digital infrastructure, data governance, connectivity and innovation financing is seen as critical to expanding services such as remote diagnostics, digital health platforms and AI-enabled medical solutions.
Nigeria’s ICT and telecommunications sector has recorded significant growth in recent years, contributing more than 18 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and serving as a foundation for innovation across sectors, including healthcare.
Participants expected at the conference include chief executives of ICT and telecommunications companies, leaders of data centres and internet service providers, executives from banks, fintech and insurance firms, regulators, venture capital investors, academic leaders and technology innovators.
Chairman of WACC and the recognition programme, Sola Afolabi, said the conference has continued to serve as a key platform linking government policy with private-sector innovation.
“Building on over two decades of thought leadership through WACC and our digital economy recognition platforms, this edition reinforces the pivotal role of national political actors in shaping Nigeria’s next development cycle,” he said.
Organisers added that state governors and members of the National Assembly have been invited as special guests and strategic partners.
Chief Executive Officer of Knowhow Media International, Olusegun Oruame, said the conference will also create opportunities for state governments to engage directly with technology investors and industry leaders.
He explained that participating governors will be able to present their states’ digital economy initiatives and development priorities during a special investors’ pitch session aimed at attracting partnerships in infrastructure, innovation and technology-driven governance.
According to Oruame, the engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and industry while positioning Nigerian states as emerging destinations for investments in digital infrastructure and innovation — developments that could further accelerate the country’s growing health technology ecosystem.
