From August 12 to 14, 2025, Africa’s leading tech voices will gather in Abuja for the African Digital Economy & Inclusivity Conference (AFDEIC), a high-level forum set to chart the course of the continent’s fast-growing digital economy. With the theme “AI and Africa’s Digital Economy: Leaving No One Behind,” the conference will focus on closing the digital divide, accelerating infrastructure development, and fostering inclusive tech-led growth across Africa.
AFDEIC 2025 comes at a critical time, as projections estimate Africa’s digital economy will contribute over $180 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2025 — a figure expected to surpass $712 billion by 2050. The event will serve as a strategic platform for stakeholders to design inclusive policies and deploy scalable solutions that unlock the continent’s socio-economic potential.
Despite major strides in fintech, AI, and e-commerce, the digital landscape remains uneven. A 2022 report by the International Telecommunications Union revealed that 73% of rural Africans still lack internet access, leaving millions excluded from digital financial services, education, and opportunities. Similarly, a 2024 GSMA study found that 61% of rural Nigerians remain unconnected to mobile internet, underscoring the need for urgent and coordinated action.
Nigeria, with its vibrant tech ecosystem and government-backed initiatives such as the National Digital Economy Policy, has made considerable progress in expanding broadband, promoting e-commerce, and driving financial inclusion. Yet, the infrastructure gap in underserved areas poses a challenge that AFDEIC seeks to confront head-on.
Conference sessions will explore emerging technologies like AI and big data in catalyzing economic growth, strategies for building digital identity systems to support cross-border trade, and frameworks for data governance and cybersecurity. The event will also emphasize the importance of gender and youth inclusion in the digital workforce, ensuring that innovation benefits all segments of society.
AFDEIC 2025 is expected to attract a diverse group of participants, including government leaders, policymakers, tech innovators, business executives, academics, and development partners. More than just a conversation, the conference aims to deliver practical, inclusive solutions that will reshape Africa’s digital landscape and position the continent for long-term prosperity in the global digital economy.
