Yilwatda To Lead Digital Economy Dialogue At WACC 2026
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, will lead a major technology and policy dialogue at the 2026 edition of the West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) scheduled for June 25, 2026, in Lagos.
The conference, themed “Reworking Nigeria Progressively into the Digital Economy with Emerging Digital Tools,” aims to develop a technology-driven roadmap for Nigeria’s next phase of economic and governance transformation.
Technology and Policy Dialogue
Professor Yilwatda will deliver the keynote address at a high-level policy colloquium titled “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The two-hour session is expected to serve as the strategic centerpiece of WACC 2026, bringing together leaders from technology, telecommunications, finance, infrastructure, and public policy sectors.
Organizers say the dialogue will provide a platform to discuss the intersection of political leadership, digital innovation, and economic development as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Platform for Digital Economy Blueprint
The colloquium will also serve as a non-partisan platform to present the APC’s proposed Technology and Digital Economy Blueprint (2027–2031) while engaging stakeholders across ICT, telecoms, fintech, and innovation sectors.
According to organizers, the discussions will focus on aligning political strategies with industry priorities to drive:
Economic modernization
Youth participation
Digital inclusion
Technology-driven governance
Recognition of Digital Economy Leaders
The conference will also host the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026 Recognition Ceremony, organised by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa.
Industry Leaders and Policymakers Expected
Commenting on the event, Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, described Yilwatda as a technocrat whose contributions to governance and Nigeria’s digital transformation are widely recognized.
Nigeria’s ICT and telecommunications sector currently contributes over 18 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it one of the nation’s most important economic drivers.
The conference is expected to attract CEOs of ICT and telecom companies, fintech and insurtech firms, financial institutions, regulators, startup founders, venture capitalists, and academic leaders.
State Governments to Showcase Digital Initiatives
State governors have also been invited to participate as strategic partners, presenting their states’ digital economy initiatives, development priorities, and investment opportunities.
Participation is expected to provide states with a platform to attract technology investments, strengthen public-private partnerships, and showcase smart governance initiatives.
According to Olusegun Oruame, the engagement of state governments will strengthen collaboration between public institutions and digital economy stakeholders.
Driving Technology-Led Development
For more than two decades, the West Africa Convergence Conference has served as a bridge between government policy and private-sector innovation.
Chairman of WACC, Sola Afolabi, said the 2026 edition will focus on how emerging digital technologies can accelerate inclusive growth, improve governance, and unlock investment opportunities across Nigeria.
Knowhow Media International, the organisers of WACC, has for over 20 years provided market intelligence and media coverage for Africa’s technology ecosystem, connecting policy, innovation, and investment to support sustainable development across the continent.