Digital
Encode Limited, a Nigerian cybersecurity and information security
advisory firm, has emerged as the lead sponsor of the sixth edition of the
Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 6.0), as the organisers announce
additional speakers for the continental technology gathering scheduled for
November 13, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.
Muhammed Rudman, chief executive officer of the
Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN); Uche Uzoebo, Managing Director/Chief
Executive Officer of Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities Limited (SANEF);
and Happiness Obioha, Chief Executive Officer of Tizel Cybersecurity and
Regional Sales Director at Tecom Concepts Limited, have joined the speaker
line-up.
Earlier, the organisers unveiled Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO,
the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), alongside Engr. Gbenga Adebayo,
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria
(ALTON); Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty
Nigeria, and James Agada, founder of Ixzdore Laboratories Limited, among the
speakers at AfriTECH 6.0.
The forum will convene technology executives,
policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to examine how \technology can accelerate Africa’s economic transformation under the theme, “The Next $1 Trillion Opportunity: Building Africa
Through Technology.”
The event will also host the Africa Tech Alliance
Excellence Awards (ATAEx Awards) 2026, recognising organisations and
individuals contributing to the development of Africa’s technology ecosystem.
Digital Encode backs Africa’s digital growth agenda
Founded in 2003 by Professor Adewale Peter Obadare,
Digital Encode Limited specialises in cybersecurity, information security, and
Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) advisory services. Its emergence as lead
sponsor places cybersecurity and digital trust among the important
considerations surrounding Africa’s next phase of technology-led growth.
The company helps organisations protect critical
information assets, manage technology risks and meet regulatory and industry
compliance requirements. Its services include cybersecurity consulting,
vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, digital forensics,
information security audits, data protection, network security and compliance
advisory.
Serving clients across financial services,
telecommunications, fintech and the public sector, Digital Encode provides
technical assessments and strategic guidance to help organisations build
secure, resilient and trustworthy digital infrastructures.
As African businesses and public institutions expand
their adoption of digital platforms, cloud services, financial technologies and
artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and risk management have become integral
to sustainable digital transformation.
The company’s sponsorship comes as AfriTECH 6.0
seeks to advance conversations about the infrastructure, institutional
capacity, investment and partnerships required to unlock the continent’s
digital economy potential.
Infrastructure,
financial inclusion and cybersecurity on the agenda
The addition of Rudman, Uzoebo and Obioha
strengthens the forum’s representation across internet infrastructure, digital
financial services and cybersecurity.
Muhammed Rudman brings extensive experience in
telecommunications and internet infrastructure. As the pioneer Chief Executive
Officer of IXPN, Nigeria’s first and only neutral internet exchange point, he
has contributed to the development of domestic internet interconnection and
network infrastructure.
He also serves as Executive President of the
Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA), which manages Nigeria’s .ng
country-code top-level domain, and chairs the Nigeria IPv6 Council.
His
experience spans network design, implementation, optimisation and operations,
alongside participation in national broadband and internet policy initiatives.
His participation is expected to contribute an
infrastructure perspective to discussions about the foundations required for
Africa’s digital expansion, including connectivity, internet interconnection
and the evolution of internet technologies.
Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, managing director/chief executive officer of
SANEF, brings more than two decades of banking experience, with expertise
spanning digital payments, agency banking, merchant acquiring, business
development and financial inclusion.
At SANEF, she works within an ecosystem focused on
expanding access to financial services through agent networks and digital
solutions. Her experience also includes collaboration with regulators,
financial service providers, development organisations and government
institutions to advance financial and economic inclusion.
Her participation brings attention to the role of
accessible digital financial services, distribution networks and innovative
payment solutions in extending the benefits of technology to underserved
communities, businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly women.
Happiness Obioha brings a commercial and enterprise
perspective to cybersecurity and technology adoption. As Chief Executive
Officer of Tizel Cybersecurity and Regional Sales Director at Tecom Concepts
Limited, her experience spans cybersecurity, enterprise technology solutions,
strategic sales, business development and client relationship management.
She has held business development and management
roles across technology consulting and enterprise solutions, including at
DATASIXTH Consulting, CBC EMEA, A3&O Limited and NovaTrack Limited.
Her experience at the intersection of cybersecurity
and business strategy offers a perspective on how secure technology
infrastructure, strategic partnerships and enterprise solutions can support
digital transformation and sustainable business growth.
Building Africa’s next trillion-dollar digital
economy
AfriTECH 6.0 comes at a time when digital
technologies are creating new opportunities for African businesses, financial
institutions and public-sector organisations. However, infrastructure deficits,
fragmented regulatory environments, constraints on access to capital and
persistent digital inclusion gaps continue to limit the scale and reach of
these opportunities.
The forum’s central question is how Africa can
translate its digital potential into measurable economic value through
investments in infrastructure, scalable technology businesses, supportive
policy frameworks and stronger collaboration across markets.
“For five years, AfriTECH has been a room where the
real conversations happen,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of the Africa
Tech Alliance Forum.
“With this sixth edition, we are raising the
ambition. The trillion-dollar question is not rhetorical; it is a challenge we
are asking every person in that room to help answer with precision, with honesty,
and with actionable direction.”
Across its previous editions, AfriTECH has brought
together senior executives from banking, fintech, telecommunications and
technology companies, alongside regulators, policymakers, founders, investors
and media professionals.
The sixth edition will build on that platform by
encouraging conversations that connect technology investment and innovation
with the practical requirements for economic growth, market expansion and
improved digital access across Africa.
Previously announced speakers include Maida,
Adebayo, Nnamani and Agada, as detailed in the organisers’ earlier announcement
published by Techeconomy. Their participation adds to the growing line-up of
industry voices expected at the forum.
ATAEx Awards to celebrate excellence in Africa’s
technology ecosystem
The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence Awards (ATAEx
Awards) 2026 will take place alongside AfriTECH 6.0 on November 13, bringing
recognition to organisations and individuals contributing to the continent’s
technology development and digital transformation.
The awards complement the forum’s broader objectives
by highlighting achievements across the technology ecosystem and drawing
attention to the people, businesses and institutions helping to shape Africa’s
digital future.
By combining industry dialogue with recognition of
technology excellence, the event seeks to create a platform for exchanging
ideas, strengthening professional relationships and showcasing contributions to
the continent’s evolving digital economy.
Partnership and media participation
AfriTECH 6.0 and the ATAEx Awards 2026 are open to
sponsors, partners, delegates and members of the press.
Organisations interested in sponsorship, partnership
and exhibition opportunities, as well as individuals and institutions seeking
to participate in the forum, are encouraged to contact the organising team for
further information.
The event is scheduled to hold at the Oriental
Hotel, Lekki Road, Lagos, on November 13, 2026. Participation is free; however,
you are expected to register at: https://africatechallianceforum.africa/
