Africa’s digital economy cannot scale without reliable infrastructure, trusted communication systems, and stronger collaboration across the technology ecosystem. Those themes shaped discussions at Termii Elevate 5.0, the flagship conference hosted by Termii, which brought together founders, developers, investors, regulators, product leaders, and technology executives at The Zone Tech Park, Gbagada, Lagos, to examine the systems powering the continent’s next phase of digital transformation. The conference was held under the theme “The Global Link: Powering the Next Billion Conversations.”
Throughout the one-day event, speakers explored how communication infrastructure, digital identity, artificial intelligence, payment systems, regulatory frameworks, and trusted data networks are becoming increasingly central to business growth across Africa. Rather than focusing solely on emerging technologies, conversations examined the underlying infrastructure that enables businesses to scale across borders while delivering secure, reliable, and seamless digital experiences. Keynote sessions, fireside conversations, panel discussions, networking engagements, and product demonstrations created a platform for practical dialogue among the builders shaping Africa’s technology landscape.
The conference featured leading voices from across the ecosystem, including representatives from Termii, Ventures Platform, PiggyVest, Selar, VerifyMe, Qore, TechCabal, Zeeh Africa, and Fez Delivery, who shared insights on scaling resilient technology products, strengthening digital trust, and navigating the operational realities of African markets. Discussions repeatedly returned to one conclusion: Africa’s next generation of technology companies will be defined not simply by innovative products, but by the strength, reliability, and resilience of the infrastructure supporting them.
One of the conference’s defining moments was The Launchpad, where Termii unveiled its 2026/2027 ecosystem roadmap alongside new connectivity initiatives designed to help businesses improve customer communication across multiple channels. Participants also engaged with the Connectivity Corridor, where ecosystem partners showcased technologies supporting digital identity, communications, and financial infrastructure, while developers tested APIs through the Termii Sandbox and explored Sotel’s connectivity solutions, including eSIM technology and enterprise data services.
Innovation also remained a central focus through Elevate Pitch 5.0, which gave early-stage startups the opportunity to present infrastructure-led solutions before investors, founders, and ecosystem stakeholders. The competition reinforced Termii’s broader commitment to supporting emerging technology companies by providing visibility, industry feedback, and opportunities for strategic partnerships capable of accelerating product development and market adoption.
Reflecting on the conference, Gbolade Emmanuel, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Termii, said the future of Africa’s digital economy will depend on collaboration between the people building its foundational systems. “Beyond growth, founders now have to think about reliability, trust, compliance, and the systems that support them,” he said, noting that Elevate was created to bring together operators, founders, investors, regulators, and decision-makers working to strengthen Africa’s technology ecosystem.
Supported by ecosystem partners and media organisations including Empire Magazine Africa, Crest Africa, Talented Women Network, and Startup Lagos, the fifth edition of Elevate reinforced its growing influence as one of Africa’s leading forums for technology infrastructure, innovation, and ecosystem collaboration. As digital adoption accelerates across the continent, the conference underscored that the next chapter of Africa’s technology story will be driven not only by bold ideas but by the trusted infrastructure that allows those ideas to scale sustainably.
