For decades, oil and minerals defined Africa’s role in the global economy. Today, data is emerging as the continent’s new strategic resource — and the battle over its ownership is heating up.
On September 18, 2025, Lagos will become the stage for the Africa Data Sovereignty Conference, where executives, regulators, and innovators will debate the rules of engagement for a digital economy built on local control of information.
The event, convened by Olla Systems in collaboration with Africa Hyperscalers, will host more than 300 leaders tasked with shaping how Africa secures and monetizes its digital assets. The conversation comes at a decisive moment, as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and the DRC roll out new directives forcing sensitive information to remain within their borders.
“Data has become currency,” explained Olusola Adenuga, CEO of Olla Systems. “If Africa allows the bulk of its data to be stored offshore, the continent loses not only economic value but also strategic leverage. Building sovereign infrastructure is about keeping that wealth — and power — at home.”
Financial services, telecoms, and government agencies are now under pressure to transition from global cloud providers to locally anchored platforms that satisfy national mandates. This shift is not just compliance-driven; it’s also about ensuring that Africa builds an ecosystem where innovation, jobs, and digital trust stay on the continent.
The conference is expected to spark new alliances between policymakers and industry players — alliances that could determine whether Africa becomes a net exporter of digital value or remains dependent on foreign systems.
