By Olusegun Obisanya
Private sector leaders have renewed calls for Africa to take decisive steps toward digital independence and global competitiveness. The calls were made at the fourth edition of Texcellence, CWG Plc’s flagship technology conference, concluded in Lagos.
Held at the Landmark Event Centre recently, the 2025 edition tagged “Future-Forward Africa: Leveraging Technology for Global Competitiveness,” gathered hundreds of influential executives, investors, and policymakers to deliberate on strategies for accelerating Africa’s digital transformation through innovation, infrastructure, and investment.
The tone of this year’s edition reflected a growing consensus among industry stakeholders: that Africa’s economic power in the coming decades will hinge on its ability to produce technology rather than merely consume it. The continent’s business community, they argued, must lead in shaping a sustainable and inclusive digital economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Adewale Adeyipo, Group CEO of CWG Plc, highlighted the urgency for Africa to move beyond conversations into execution.
“We are standing at a pivotal point. By 2040, Africa will be home to the world’s largest youth population. Their creativity and digital skills will define whether we remain a continent of potential or emerge as a global economic powerhouse,” Adeyipo remarked.
That message resonated throughout the conference as speakers from across industries dissected practical pathways for digital acceleration. Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, Founder of Futurwise, emphasized the importance of ethical and data-driven innovation, while Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centres, spotlighted the continent’s progress in data infrastructure, stressing that “corporates must adopt agile systems and digital resilience to thrive in an interconnected world.”
Panel discussions explored transformative themes such as “The Future of Finance: Defining Africa’s Role in the Global Digital Financial System” and “Africa Without Borders: Building African Companies with Global Footprints.” Speakers including Gbolahan Joshua of FCMB; Mobolaji Adeoye of Consonance Capital; and Ashley Immanuel of Semicolon, examined how fintech, venture capital, and skills development can position Africa as a hub for digital innovation.
The private sector’s leadership role was a recurring theme, with participants stressing the need for collaboration between businesses and governments to develop supportive regulatory frameworks, scale broadband access, and promote investments in digital skills. Dr. Joe Abah, Country Director of DAI, for instance, argued that “Africa’s digital transformation cannot rely solely on public initiatives; private capital and innovation must drive the agenda.”
Beyond intellectual exchange, Texcellence 2025 solidified its reputation as a marketplace for ideas, partnerships, and investment. CWG Plc’s platform, which began as a corporate initiative to foster knowledge-sharing, has evolved into a continental ecosystem connecting leaders across finance, energy, manufacturing, and technology sectors.
“Texcellence is more than a conference, it’s a catalyst for collaboration. Each year, we see ideas from this platform evolve into projects that impact businesses, communities, and economies across Africa,” Afolabi Sobande, COO of CWG Plc posited.
The 2025 edition drew significant corporate backing from global and regional players. Dell Technologies served as Platinum Sponsor, Vericash as Gold Sponsor, and Infobip as Innovation Partner, while Wavetec, Ausso Leadership Academy, The Macallan, Loxea-BYD, Fifthlab, and Bowagate Ltd supported the event as ecosystem partners.
Through its consistent focus on collaboration and innovation, Texcellence has become a strategic touchpoint for decision-makers seeking to shape Africa’s role in the global digital economy.
Analysts say the insights from the Lagos conference could influence future investment flows into the continent’s tech ecosystem, particularly in data centres, financial technology, and cross-border digital trade.
Since its inception, CWG Plc’s Texcellence Conference has served as a bridge between business and policy, enabling critical dialogue on how technology can drive competitiveness, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Each edition builds on this mission—transforming thought leadership into actionable outcomes that help African enterprises compete on a global stage.
As the 2025 edition concluded, one message echoed clearly: Africa’s future prosperity will depend not on imported innovation, but on homegrown technology powered by bold ideas, agile systems, and strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors.
