Oluyemi Osinbajo calls for African digital collaboration at Mobex 2026

Former Nigerian Vice President H.E. Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo has called on African nations to strengthen their collaboration in developing digital infrastructure and identity systems. Speaking at the MOBEX Africa 2026 conference, Osinbajo emphasized that such cooperation is essential for the continent to effectively integrate into the global economy and provide its citizens with meaningful technological benefits. He underscored the need for a unified approach to overcome existing barriers to digital growth across the continent.

Central to Osinbajo’s address was the critical issue of digital data ownership and control. He urged African governments to move beyond being passive consumers of technology and instead advocate for solutions that empower local capabilities. By asserting control over their own digital data, African nations can ensure that the wealth and insights generated by the digital economy remain within the continent, fostering a more sustainable and independent technological ecosystem that serves local needs.

Osinbajo also highlighted the transformative potential of digital identity in promoting financial inclusion across the continent. He stressed that accessible and reliable verification processes are fundamental to bringing millions of unbanked Africans into the formal financial system. To achieve this, he called for governments to provide more reliable infrastructure and encourage healthy competition within the digital space, which would help lower costs and improve service delivery for ordinary citizens.

The former Vice President concluded by reminding stakeholders that the digital future of Africa depends on proactive policy-making and cross-border partnerships. By harmonizing digital frameworks and investing in human capital, Africa can overcome current infrastructure deficits and position itself as a significant player in the global digital landscape. The MOBEX Africa 2026 conference continues to serve as a platform for these discussions, aiming to catalyze the necessary political will and private sector engagement to drive the continent's digital transformation.