Omolabake Fasogbon
The need for Africa to take charge of its own data, and emerge as leading exporter of technology for digital expansion has been reiterated at the FITC Fintech Nigeria Technovation Conference in Lagos.
The conference, themed, “Innovation as a Catalyst: Reshaping Cross-Sector Collaboration,” brought together fintech disruptors, policymakers, investors, and industry trailblazers to redefine how innovation can accelerate inclusive growth across the continent.
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Taking the center stage at the conference was a conversation led by Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL), Chief Technology Officer, Mujib Ishola on the urgent need to shift from data dependency to data sovereignty.
The session also had the input of other key stakeholders including Group Head, Corporate Retail and Energy Business at Interswitch Group, Adeyinka Adekoya; Vice President, Operations at Flutterwave, Tomi Badejo; and Chief Executive Officer of Precise Financial Systems, Dr. Yele Okeremi.
Ishola noted that Nigeria’s reputation as a consuming nation was far extending into the digital space, warning of the growing risk of digital colonisation.
He asserted that taking ownership of data in Africa and indeed Nigeria would translate to safeguarding the digital economy and sustaining homegrown fintech innovations.
He particularly underscored the need for purpose-driven collaboration to drive reclamation of Africa’s data ownership, as well as building a resilient and inclusive digital future for Africa.