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By Dayo Fadairo and Hassan U. Ahmed
At WACC 2026 in Lagos, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda outlines an aggressive technology-led growth agenda positioning ICT, AI, fintech and digital infrastructure as pillars of Nigeria’s economic future.
Technology Takes Centre Stage in Nigeria’s Growth Strategy
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its commitment to making technology the backbone of national economic growth, declaring the digital economy a primary driver—rather than an emerging sector—of Nigeria’s development trajectory.
RELATED: WACC 2026 converges Nigeria’s policy, politics and technology leaders to shape the post-2027 digital economy
Speaking in Lagos at the 15th West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) 2026, the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said ICT already contributes between 18 and 19 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and grew by 26.34 per cent in Q4 2025. The government, he noted, is targeting a 22 per cent ICT contribution to GDP by 2027 as part of a broader push towards a $1 trillion economy.
Lagos Emerges as a Global Digital Powerhouse
Yilwatda highlighted growing international recognition of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, citing rankings by Dealroom, which recently named Lagos the world’s leading “Rising Star” and the fastest-growing emerging tech ecosystem globally.
According to Dealroom’s assessment of 288 cities across 69 countries, Lagos has produced five unicorns—Interswitch, Flutterwave, Jumia, OPay and Moniepoint—and expanded its startup ecosystem value more than elevenfold since 2017 to nearly $15 billion.
“When the world identifies Lagos as one of the fastest-growing technology ecosystems on the planet, it confirms that Nigeria has the talent, market depth and entrepreneurial energy to become Africa’s digital powerhouse,” Yilwatda said.
WACC 2026: Where Policy Meets Innovation
Hosted in Lagos, the nation’s economic and digital hub, West Africa Convergence Conference has evolved beyond an annual industry gathering into a strategic national platform aligning government policy, private-sector innovation and political vision.
This year’s edition convened policymakers, regulators, investors, technology founders and ecosystem builders to examine how digital transformation can accelerate inclusive growth ahead of Nigeria’s 2027–2031 economic cycle.
`Youth, Talent and Infrastructure as Strategic Assets
Yilwatda stressed that Nigeria’s greatest competitive advantage lies not in oil or minerals, but in its people, with nearly 70 per cent of the population under the age of 35. To unlock this demographic dividend, the APC-led government has set ambitious targets, including:
- Achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030
- Expanding ICT centres nationwide from 222 to 1,600
- Deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre through Project BRIDGE, a $2 billion broadband initiative aimed at connecting 33 million underserved Nigerians and creating five million digital economy jobs
APC’s Five-Point Digital Economy Vision for 2031
Yilwatda outlined a comprehensive technology roadmap anchored on five strategic ambitions:
1. Building Africa’s Largest Digital Economy
Targeting 90 per cent broadband penetration, universal digital access and expanded digital commerce.
2. Becoming Africa’s Leading AI Hub
Driven by the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), focusing on AI infrastructure, ecosystem development, sector-wide adoption, responsible AI and governance.
3. Consolidating Nigeria as Africa’s Fintech Capital
Through regulatory innovation, open banking, financial inclusion and cross-border payments.
4. Developing Africa’s Largest Digital Public Infrastructure Platform
Covering digital identity, payments, e-government, healthcare and education systems.
5. Leading West Africa’s Digital Integration
By leveraging AfCFTA digital trade, ECOWAS integration and harmonised regulations.
“The objective is simple,” Yilwatda said. “Nigeria must not merely consume technology; Nigeria must help create it.”
Financing Digital Infrastructure as a National Asset Class
A central theme of the keynote was the need to treat digital infrastructure—fibre networks, data centres, cloud platforms and AI computing facilities—as a new national asset class.
Yilwatda called for innovative financing models involving pension funds, sovereign-backed vehicles, infrastructure funds, development finance institutions and public-private partnerships to mobilise capital at scale.
“The countries that build these digital assets will attract investment, create jobs and generate prosperity. Those that do not will remain consumers of technologies built elsewhere,” he warned.
MOFI, Regulators and Industry Align on Execution
The investment dimension was reinforced by Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) CEO Dr. Armstrong Takang, who outlined how idle federal assets are being converted into productive digital infrastructure through partnerships with the private sector.
Regulatory perspectives were provided by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission led by Dr. Vincent Olatunji and industry operators, who underscored the importance of trust, data governance, cybersecurity and broadband connectivity as foundations for a scalable digital economy.
A Blueprint for Nigeria’s Digital Future
Participants described the conversations at WACC 2026 as a rare convergence of politics, policy and industry execution. Several industry leaders noted that the APC’s digital economy agenda represents a practical blueprint for aligning governance with innovation.
As Nigeria positions itself for the next phase of economic growth, the message from Lagos was clear: technology is no longer peripheral—it is central to the nation’s ambition to build a resilient, competitive and trillion-dollar economy.
Strong Institutional Backing
WACC 2026 is supported by strategic partners across government, regulation, and finance—including MOFI, NDPC, NITDA, and Wema Bank Plc—reflecting a unified commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
This coalition underscores the growing recognition that digital innovation must be backed by robust regulation, patient capital, and coordinated policy. The conference serves as a barometer of institutional readiness for the next phase of growth.
