Technology, financial services, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and fintech leaders are set to converge in Lagos on September 24 for the inaugural GrowthX by Techeconomy conference, with data localisation expected to dominate discussions around Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
The conference, themed Driving Digital Growth Through Innovation and Collaboration, will take place at The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing together executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals, regulators and other stakeholders from across the digital ecosystem.
The event will begin at 9:00am and feature keynote presentations, a lead presentation, panel discussions, a fireside chat and an exhibition where participating businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products, services and technology solutions.
Among the confirmed speakers are Blessing Ehize, chief technology officer at First City Monument Bank (FCMB); Dr Ayotunde Coker, chief executive officer of Open Access Data Centres (OADC); Dr Krishnan Ranganath, chief executive officer of UniCloud Africa; Hakeem Adeniji-Adele, deputy managing director of eTranzact International Plc; and Abraham Durosanwo, vice president at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Others include Adeshina Adewumi, founder and CEO of Trade Lenda; Roseline Ilori, founder and CEO of Bridge57 Solutions Limited; Philip Aiwekhoe, chief information security officer at NPF Microfinance Bank; Rarzack Olaegbe, producer of The Fintex Show on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM; Elsie Godwin, co-founder and chief operating officer of Cashwise Finance; Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (Rtd), founder of GridCodes; and Victor Daniyan, chief executive officer of Nearpays Technologies.
The range of expertise represented by the speakers reflects the broad focus of GrowthX, with discussions expected to cover banking technology, data centres, cloud infrastructure, digital payments, SME finance, data protection, cybersecurity and financial technology.
A major focus of the conference will be the impact of data localisation requirements on Nigeria’s digital payments ecosystem. The first panel, titled Data Localisation, Identity & the Future of Secure Payments in Nigeria, will examine the implications of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent data localisation directive and consider how the country can build secure and resilient payment systems without limiting innovation or global digital connectivity.
Artificial intelligence will also feature prominently at the event. A second panel, Building AI for Africa: Innovation, Infrastructure and Inclusive Growth, will explore how African countries can move beyond simply adopting AI technologies to developing homegrown solutions capable of addressing the continent’s unique economic and social challenges.
The third panel, Fintech at a Crossroads? Innovation, Regulation and the Cost of Scaling in Nigeria, will focus on the challenges facing Nigeria’s fintech industry as companies attempt to balance rapid innovation with regulatory compliance and sustainable growth.
According to Peter Oluka, publisher and editor-in-chief of Techeconomy, the conference is designed to generate practical conversations around the future of digital services in Nigeria.
“We want the conversations at GrowthX to be useful to the people building, regulating, funding and using digital services in Nigeria. The speakers bring different experiences to the table, and that is important because digital growth does not depend on one sector alone,” Oluka said.
The conference will conclude with the Technology Innovation and Leadership Awards (TiLAwards) gala night, which is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm. The awards will recognise individuals and organisations making significant contributions to Nigeria’s technology and digital economy.
Nominations for the TiLAwards are currently ongoing, with individuals and organisations invited to nominate innovative leaders and businesses for recognition.
Attendance at GrowthX is free, although pre-registration is required.
GrowthX by Techeconomy and the TiLAwards are being organised by Techeconomy Business Series as part of activities marking the ninth anniversary of Techeconomy, a technology, business and economy news platform.
More information about the conference is available on the official GrowthX website, while details about the awards and the ongoing nomination process are available on the TiLAwards platform.
