The virtual event featured global AI experts, government officials, technology executives and emerging innovators, with discussions centred on artificial intelligence, digital payments and Africa’s digital transformation.
LAGOS, NIGERIA – November 5, 2026: Zenith Bank Plc has successfully concluded the sixth edition of its flagship Zenith Bank Tech Fair, tagged Future Forward 6.0, bringing together global technology experts, policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators to examine the growing influence of artificial intelligence on businesses, financial services and the global economy.
Held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the event adopted the theme “AI: Embrace or Extinct,” highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence and the need for individuals, businesses and institutions to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape.
The 2026 edition marked a significant milestone for the annual technology gathering as it moved to a virtual format for the first time, expanding opportunities for participation beyond the traditional physical event.
Global Technology Leaders Take Centre Stage
The event featured prominent international technology personalities, including Zack Kass, former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI, who delivered a keynote presentation titled The Next RenAIssance, examining the opportunities emerging from advancements in artificial intelligence.
Also featured was Megan Caywood Cooper, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Caywood, whose presentation, Agentic AI in Finance – Closing the Capability Overhang, explored the potential of autonomous AI systems to transform financial services and business operations.
Other notable personalities featured in the programme included Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Eleni Giokos, CNN anchor and correspondent, who hosted the panel discussions.
The opening session featured a welcome address by Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, followed by a founder’s message from Jim Ovia, CFR, Founder and Chairman of the financial institution.
The event also featured goodwill messages from Vice President Kashim Shettima and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Discussions Focus on Agentic AI and Africa’s Digital Future
A major highlight of the fair was the panel session titled Agentic AI Evolution – Intelligent, Disruptive and Inclusive, which examined how increasingly autonomous artificial intelligence systems could reshape industries, financial services and business operations.
The session featured Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Chinwe Uzoho, Regional Managing Director, West Africa, Network International; Ehia Erhaboh, Co-Founder and President of AI in Nigeria; Tolu Flosbach, Head of Artificial Intelligence at PwC; and Dr Ikpenmosa Uhumuavbi, Research Centre Lead and Reader in Law at the University of Greater Manchester.
Another major discussion, Scale, Secure, Sustain – Engineering Africa’s Digital Future, brought together industry professionals to examine the infrastructure, cybersecurity and policy requirements necessary to support Africa’s growing digital economy.
Among the participants were Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT; Dr Rita I. Sike, Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department; Fashola Shamsideen, Founder of Xdigital Services Limited; Abiola Laseinde, Convener of CIO & C-Suite Awards Africa; and Habibah Waziri, Managing Director of BGR Consulting.
Digital Payments and Financial Innovation in Focus
Beyond artificial intelligence, the 2026 Tech Fair placed considerable attention on the future of digital payments and financial infrastructure across Africa.
Mike Ogbalu III, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), delivered a presentation on Pan-African Payment Infrastructure & Trade Acceleration.
Deniz Oran, Head of Payment Partnerships at Google for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, was also featured in a session examining next-generation agentic and digital payment partnerships.
Another major programme highlight was the unveiling of Finopay, Zenith Bank’s flagship digital payment innovation platform, scheduled to feature a live interactive demonstration.
The discussions highlighted the importance of developing secure, efficient and accessible payment infrastructure to support cross-border trade, financial inclusion and the growth of businesses across the continent.
Zecathon and Young Innovators Highlight Startup Opportunities
The event also provided opportunities for emerging technology entrepreneurs through Zecathon, Zenith Bank’s innovation and startup competition.
The programme featured a business pitch competition for early-stage startups, a hackathon challenge showcasing technology prototypes, and a Junior Innovators Challenge designed to spotlight young technology talents and student innovators.
The initiative builds on Zenith Bank’s continued support for innovation and entrepreneurship through funding, mentorship and opportunities for promising startups to develop scalable solutions.
The event also featured specialised masterclasses covering AI governance, model risk, ethics and accountability, cybersecurity in the AI age, AI infrastructure, future payment technologies, fintech and traditional banking, as well as cloud infrastructure and data residency.
Zenith Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Technology and Innovation
Conceived by the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, the Zenith Bank Tech Fair has evolved into an annual platform connecting technology professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and industry stakeholders to discuss emerging technologies and their impact on society.
Through Future Forward 6.0, Zenith Bank reinforced the importance of embracing technological innovation, developing local talent and creating opportunities for African businesses to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Following the conclusion of the event, Zenith Bank expressed appreciation to attendees for participating in the 2026 edition and contributing to conversations shaping the future of technology.
The bank also looked ahead to the next edition, announcing its anticipation of welcoming participants again in 2027.
As artificial intelligence continues to redefine industries, the conversations and innovations showcased at Future Forward 6.0 underscore the growing importance of preparing Africa’s workforce, businesses and institutions for the next phase of digital transformation.
