By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria’s $450bn digital economy drive is gathering significant political and institutional backing, as the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) joins the 15th West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) 2026 as a strategic partner.
The conference, scheduled to hold in Lagos this June, comes at a pivotal time when Nigeria’s ICT sector now contributing over 18 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product is increasingly being positioned as a central pillar for economic growth beyond oil.
In a strong indication of rising political alignment with the sector, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will deliver the keynote address, signaling that digital transformation is set to play a major role in Nigeria’s 2027–2031 development agenda.
MOFI’s participation underscores a broader shift toward leveraging technology to unlock value from public assets. As the Federal Government’s asset and investment management institution, MOFI oversees more than 130 government-owned enterprises and is targeting an ambitious ₦100 trillion in assets under management over the next decade.
Chief Executive Officer of MOFI, Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, said the conference provides an opportunity to deepen engagement with policymakers, investors, and digital economy stakeholders.
He noted that the platform aligns with MOFI’s mandate to catalyse investment, foster public-private partnerships, and drive innovation-led economic growth, adding that the organisation is committed to contributing meaningfully to policy discussions and stakeholder collaboration.
Professor Yilwatda is expected to use the platform to frame technology as a key driver of governance reform, economic expansion, and youth empowerment in Nigeria’s next political cycle. His keynote, themed “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” will headline a high-level policy colloquium that forms the centrepiece of the conference.
He described the gathering as a timely opportunity to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and investors to align on strategies for accelerating national development through technology. He also commended the organisers for sustaining a credible platform that connects policy direction with private sector execution.
The conference comes amid growing recognition of the ICT sector as one of Nigeria’s strongest economic drivers. With its contribution to GDP continuing to rise, stakeholders are increasingly looking to digital innovation, fintech expansion, and data-driven systems as tools to boost productivity, improve public service delivery, and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
WACC 2026 is expected to attract a wide range of participants, including state governors, chief executives of telecommunications and technology companies, fintech operators, data centre providers, investors, regulators, and startup founders.
A major feature of the event will be an investors’ pitch session, where state governments will present digital infrastructure projects and investment opportunities, positioning subnational entities as key players in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
Organised by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa, the West Africa Convergence Conference has, over the years, evolved into a major platform for aligning government policy, political leadership, and private sector innovation.
Chairman of WACC 2026, Sola Afolabi, said the conference continues to play a critical role in shaping conversations around digital transformation and economic development in Nigeria, while also recognising individuals and institutions driving progress in the ecosystem.
Chief Executive Officer of Knowhow Media International, Olusegun Oruame, said Nigeria’s digital economy is at a defining moment, stressing the importance of bringing together political leaders, policymakers, and the business community to achieve sustainable growth.
With growing institutional participation, increased investor interest, and stronger political engagement, WACC 2026 is emerging as a key platform in shaping the future direction of Nigeria’s digital economy.
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