Lagos, Nigeria, played host to one of the most anticipated technology events on the African calendar when Thrive-In-Tech 6.0 took place on August 21 and 22, 2026. This two-day technology and innovation summit brought together a remarkable gathering of technology professionals, students, developers, founders, entrepreneurs, and emerging innovators from across the continent. The event, held under the theme “Build for Impact,” was designed to create opportunities for people to learn, build, connect, and thrive in the rapidly evolving world of technology.
The energy inside the Golfview Suites in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, was electric on August 21 and 22, 2026 as the two-day gathering combined an intense hackathon competition with a forward-looking technology conference.
At a time when Africa is navigating rapid economic shifts and a global digital evolution, the gathering highlighted how local talent is stepping up to solve local problems. The event was designed to move young builders past theoretical knowledge and help them build real tools that address everyday African challenges.
Day One on Thrive-In-Tech 6.0: The High-Stakes Innovation Sprint
The gathering kicked off early on Friday morning with the hackathon sprint, bringing together dozens of competitive teams selected from over a hundred applications across the region. Developers, designers, and thinkers collaborated across eight critical focus areas, including artificial intelligence, financial inclusion, health technology, digital identity, cybersecurity, property technology, education, and agriculture.
Artificial intelligence took centre stage throughout the build phase. A vast majority of the competing teams incorporated AI models directly into their solutions, using smart automation to address issues in local crop management, healthcare access, and financial trust.
Mentors moved from table to table throughout the day, helping teams refine their product architectures and business logic. The competitive spirit culminated in late afternoon pitches evaluated by a panel of judges led by Oluwaseun Oluboyo, Chief Technical Architect at ipNX Nigeria Limited. The event offered over 3.5 million Naira in combined cash prizes, cloud computing credits, incubation resources, and technical mentorship. Cash awards were presented to the top three overall teams, while identity infrastructure provider QoreID presented a targeted Digital Identity and Trust Award to support infrastructure development.
Day Two on Thrive-In-Tech 6.0: Insights, AI Governance, and Leadership
Saturday shifted the focus from rapid building to strategic discussion, opening the main conference day to hundreds of in-person and online participants. The morning began with a keynote address by Oyedayo Otokiti, Director of IT and Operations at Lagos Business School. Her presentation focused on AI governance, emphasising that African leaders must actively contribute to shaping global policy rules rather than simply adopting too-developed rules elsewhere.
Subsequent panel sessions and technical talks explored how local developers can remain competitive as artificial intelligence changes traditional engineering workflows. Experienced speakers from leading companies such as Monnify, Moniepoint, SoftAlliance, and GreenAfrica Airways shared practical insights on building resilient backend software systems, using data to drive product decisions, and managing tech startups efficiently.
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Bridging the Opportunity Gap for African Youth
The core purpose of Thrive-In-Tech has always been community growth and talent development. Convener Femi Ayilara emphasised during the event that the organisation aims to bridge the gap between young African professionals and the practical skills, mentorship, and funding networks needed to build sustainable careers.
Beyond the summit itself, the initiative runs structured multi-month training programs in core areas like software engineering, product design, and cybersecurity. By connecting participants directly with experienced industry veterans, the ecosystem ensures that learning continues long after the hackathon lights turn off.
The forty-five teams that competed in the hackathon, the hundreds of attendees who participated in the conference sessions, and the distinguished speakers who shared their expertise all contributed to an event that showcased the immense potential of African technology talent.
The initiative’s growth from a small group of passionate tech enthusiasts in 2020 to a community of more than 4,000 alumni is a testament to the power of mentorship and collaboration. As Femi Ayilara, the founder and convener of Thrive-In-Tech 6.0, put it: “Our goal with Thrive-In-Tech has always been to move beyond inspiration and create practical opportunities for people to learn, build, connect and thrive”.
