The conference, held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, was themed "Unveiling the Future" and convened prominent innovators, technology visionaries, and disruptors to collaboratively shape Africa's digital landscape.
CWG: Leading Africa's Transformation
At the commencement of the event, CWG CEO Adewale Adeyipo established an ambitious direction with his opening keynote. He underscored the pivotal role of technology as a fundamental element in nation-building, emphasizing that "transformation is an ongoing process without a definitive endpoint."
Adeyipo's address resonated with CWG's unwavering commitment to transcending limitations and leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, 5G, and IoT to propel Africa's growth and prosperity.
Inspiring Moments at Texcellence 3.0
A significant highlight of the event was the session led by Fredrik Haren, known as the Creativity Explorer, who facilitated an engaging dialogue on “Revealing Tomorrow.” His central theme emphasized the essential role of creativity in adapting to a swiftly changing technological environment. “Your creativity reveals your tomorrow,” Haren remarked, motivating participants to embrace innovative thinking in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Bode Abifarin, COO of Strata, presented a compelling session on fintech innovation, examining how disruptors such as Opay and Flutterwave are revolutionizing financial services through artificial intelligence and decentralized finance (DeFi). Her perspectives resonated with CWG’s vision of promoting technology-driven solutions across diverse sectors.
Another notable keynote was delivered by Karl Olutokun Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, who discussed the shift from telecommunications to technology companies (Telco to TechCo) and its potential to propel Nigeria towards a $1 trillion economy. His visionary insights were in harmony with CWG’s initiatives to establish a strong digital infrastructure for the future.
David Gowu, CEO of Inngen, addressed one of the most pressing challenges of our era—the influence of AI on the workforce. He reassured the audience that AI would not replace jobs but would enhance human capabilities, fostering a more skilled and efficient workforce. This perspective aligns with CWG’s mission to empower Africa’s talent through technology.
Fostering Synergies for Africa's Digital Transformation
Texcellence 3.0 was not merely an exercise in innovation; it was a testament to the power of collaboration. The "Investment Synergy: Driving Financial Inclusion and Innovation in Africa" panel convened a distinguished group of experts, including Dr. Dotun Olowoporoku (Ventures Platform), Anton Panayotov (CEO, Alaric Securities), and Nikola Rogatchev (Bulgarian Association for Parking and Sustainable Urban Mobility). These esteemed individuals engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the transformative potential of strategic investments in fostering financial inclusion and economic growth.
Subsequent sessions centered around the evolving strategies of financial institutions in the digital economy. Industry experts from Wema Bank, FirstBank, and Redhat shared their perspectives on the crucial measures they are implementing to address the challenges of digital transformation, solidifying CWG's position as a prominent force in shaping the future of Africa's financial landscape.
The theme of collaboration extended into the “Collaborative Innovation: Shaping Africa’s Tomorrow Economy” panel, which featured influential figures from NITDA, Galaxy Backbone, and the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications. They emphasized the importance of cross-sector partnerships in accelerating Africa’s digital progress—an ethos championed by CWG throughout the conference.
CWG’s Vision for Tomorrow
The Texcellence 3.0 conference was a resounding success, showcasing CWG's unwavering dedication to fostering Africa's digital transformation.
By convening the most prominent thought leaders in the technology industry, CWG facilitated insightful discussions and innovative ideas that will undoubtedly shape the continent's technological landscape for years to come.
As Adeyipo said in his opening remarks, “Transformation is ongoing.” CWG is leading the way to ensure Africa remains at the forefront of the digital revolution.