2025 AGENDA
Time
Topic
The agenda for the conference is currently under development and remains subject to modification
10:45 AM– 11:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction by Vertex Next
11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
Opening Keynote Address:
IoT & AI as a Key Catalyst for Africa’s Digital Transformation – Driving Connectivity, Efficiency, and Innovation
Speaker:
Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi
Director General, NITDA
11:20 AM – 11:40 AM
Keynote Address:
Building Digital Infrastructure for Sustainable Rural Electrification in Nigeria
Speaker:
Mr. Abba Aliyu
MD/CEO Rural Electrification Agency
11:40 AM – 12:00 AM
Networking & Coffee Break ☕
12:00 AM – 12:30 AM
Power Keynote
Strengthening the Utilities Sector with Fast Adoption of Advanced Technologies for Future-Ready Infrastructure
Speaker:
Engr. Vincent Ozoude
MD/CEO Transafam Power
12:30 AM – 13:10 PM
Leaders in Armchair Discussion:
The Digital Revolution in Oil and Gas – Advancing Efficiency, Automation, and Sustainability
Panelists:
Ekeinde Ohiwerei
GM Corporate Services, NLNG
Idris Musa
GM Information Technology & Asset Integrity, Oando PLC
13:10 PM – 14:40 PM
Lunch Break 🍽️
14:00 AM – 14:40 PM
Fireside Chat :
Redefining Connectivity – How Telecoms are Shaping the Digital Ecosystem
Panelists:
Ina Alogwu
Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, 9 Mobile
Tunji Alabi
Managing Director, Infratel Africa
David Ogunsola
GM, IT Operations, MTN
14:40 AM – 15:40 PM
Spotlight Session:
IoT, AI, and Cloud – Key Pillars Driving the Growth of the Banking and Fintech Sector
Panelists:
Babafemi Ogungbamila
EVP Operations and Technology, Interswitch
Harisson N. Nnaji
CISO, First Bank
Ikechukwu Ajumuka
Lead Enterprise Architect, Access Bank
Daniel Ale
CTO, Capital Sage Holdings
Ladi Okuneye
Co-Founder & CEO, Unicloud Africa
Moderator:
Jefferson Usianene
Infrastructure Manager, Zone
15:40 PM – 16:00 PM
Investment Spotlight:
Driving Sustainable Investments in Digital Infrastructure: Accelerating Africa’s Tech-Led Growth
Speaker:
Gideon Berhane
Advisor Digital Investment Facility, GIZ
16:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Time
Topic
The agenda for the conference is currently under development and remains subject to modification
10:15 AM - 10.30 AM
Welcome and Recap of Day One
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Opening Keynote :
The Role of Privacy in Emerging Technologies
Speakers:
Dr. Vincent Olatunji
National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission
10:55 AM – 11:15 AM
Keynote Address :
Scaling Data Centers in Africa – Powering Industries, Driving Investment, and Accelerating Digital Transformation
Speakers:
Wole Abu
Managing Director, Equinix
11:15 AM – 11:35 AM
Networking & Coffee Break ☕
11:40 AM – 12:20 PM
Panel Discussion :
Advancing Data Centers’ Critical Infrastructures for Higher Technological Evolution
Panelists:
Lars Johanisson
CEO, Rack Centre
Riaan De Leeuw
Country Director, Sudlows Africa
Egbedi O. Prosper
Senior Data Centre & Critical, Power Manager, Huawei
Sunit Kumar Arya
Dy Business Head, Simba Group
Obinna Ademike
Head Converged Digital Infrastructure Africa, OADC
Panelists:
Gbenga Adegbiji
CEO, Geniserve
12:25 AM – 13:00 PM
Panel Discussion :
Africa Data Centers Under the Lens – Where Do the Opportunities Lie ?
Panelists:
Yashnath Issur
CEO, Nxtra by Airtel Africa
Scott Roots
DC Byte
Andie Oluwafemi Moyan
CEO, Citi Data Centers
Dr. Krish Ranganathan
Regional Executive West Africa , Africa Data Centers
Panelists:
Riaan De Leeuw
Country Director, Sudlows Africa
13:00 PM – 13:40 PM
Lunch Break 🍽️
13:45 PM – 14:15 PM
Fireside Chat :
Unlocking the Future of Data Centers – Energy Storage and Off-Grid Solutions for Sustainable Power Supply
Panelists:
Mark Oni-Okeke
MD, Cummins
Gerrit Barnard
Director, Sales – EMEA C&D Technologies
Dr. Krish Ranganathan
Regional Executive West Africa , Africa Data Centers
Kehinde Oyedeji
CEO/MD, Bryan and Beckley
14:20 PM – 15:00 PM
Spotlight Session – Panel Discussion
Data Centers as the Backbone for Driving Industrial Transformation in Africa
Panelists:
Ike Nnamani
CEO, Digital Realty
Yashnath Issur
CEO, Nxtra by Airtel Africa
Adewole Adebisi
Head Technical Operation, Raxio
Engr. Kunle Olorundare
President, Internet Society of Nigeria
Panelists:
Okechi Osuagwu
Regional Sales Manager, Vertiv
15:00 PM – 15:20 PM
Keynote
Mission-Critical Power: Ensuring 24/7 Energy for Data Centers, Industries, and Smart Cities
Presenter :
Alban H. Schauly
Data Centre Segment Manager, Caterpillar
15:20 PM – 15:40 PM
Presentation
Innovations in Liquid Cooling & Free Cooling for African Data Centres
Presenter :
Luther Ogpaji
Application Engineer, Vertiv
15:40 PM – 16:00 PM
Fireside Chat :
Navigating the Future – Green Colocation Strategies & Sustainable Innovations for Next-Gen Data Centers
Panelists :
Gbenga Adegbiji
CEO, Geniserve
Faith Waithaka
Board Chair ADCA and C&SP AAF Schneider Electric
Danjuma Waniko
President, Green Building Council Nigeria
17:00 PM Onwards
Data Center Networking Dinner (invite only)
Time
Topic
The agenda for the conference is currently under development and remains subject to modification
10:30 AM – 10:40 AM
Welcome and Recap of Day Two
10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
Opening Keynote :
Bridging the Digital Divide – Advancing Africa’s Digital Economy with Emerging Technologies
Speaker:
Jane Egerton-Idehen
CEO, NIGCOMSAT
11:10 AM – 11:40 AM
Fireside Chat:
Driving Digital Transformation in Renewable Energy: Building Smart, Sustainable, and Scalable Digital Infrastructure
Panelists:
Segun Adaju
CEO, Consistent Energy
Mr. Oluwole Eweje
CEO, WATT Renewables Nigeria Limited
11:40 AM – 12:10 PM
Networking & Coffee Break ☕
12:10 PM – 12:35 PM
Partner Presentation :
Optimizing Cloud Infrastructure: Security, Scalability, and Productivity Across Industries
Speaker:
Paresh Makwana
Regional Director & Cloud Security Specialist, Antriksh Technologies Nigeria
12:35 PM – 13:40 PM
Lunch Break 🍽️
13:45 PM – 14:15 PM
Keynote from the Space :
Bridging Africa’s IoT Gap through Satellite Technology: Leveraging AI and Robotics for Digital Transformation
Speaker:
Philippa Udi
AI & Robotics Expert, Nigeria Space Agency (NASRDA)
14:20 PM – 14:50 PM
Fireside Chat:
Revolutionizing Healthcare – Harnessing AI, IoT, and Data Centers for Smarter, Sustainable Medical & Patient Care
Speaker:
Dr Mories Atoki
CEO, ABC Health
Abdulhamid Yahaya
Deputy Director, eHealth Africa
15:00 PM – 15:30 PM
Closing Session :
Beyond Cash: How e Payments Are Driving the Digital Economy
Favour Aroghene Ndulu
Regional Product & Growth Marketing Manager, Waza