Tech and Business Leaders to Gather in Lagos for Africa Data Sovereignty Summit

As Africa's digital landscape accelerates toward a cloud-driven future, a critical question looms: who controls the continent's data, and how can businesses navigate the complex web of emerging national regulations? On September 18, 2025, the Africa Data Sovereignty Conference will bring together top industry leaders, policymakers, and corporate executives in Lagos to tackle these pressing issues, focusing on data localization, infrastructure resilience, and fostering digital trust.

Hosted by Olla Systems, a leading provider of cloud and IT infrastructure solutions, in collaboration with Africa Hyperscalers, a platform dedicated to digital infrastructure insights, the summit is poised to draw over 300 key stakeholders. Attendees will include decision-makers from major enterprises, fast-growing startups, and government bodies across Africa. The event arrives at a crucial juncture as nations like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ghana implement stringent data domiciliation policies, mandating that sensitive data be stored and processed within their borders.

“Data sovereignty goes beyond mere storage location,” said Olusola Adenuga, CEO of Olla Systems and the conference’s lead organizer. “It’s about securing control, maximizing economic benefits, and driving national progress. While other regions keep over 80% of their data onshore, Africa must reduce its reliance on foreign systems and build robust, homegrown infrastructure to retain value and opportunities locally.”

Recent years have seen African regulators, including Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), intensify efforts to enforce data sovereignty. These policies require financial institutions, telecom companies, and public sector entities to shift their operations from global cloud platforms to locally hosted, regulation-compliant systems.

The conference will serve as a platform for dialogue on these challenges, offering insights into scalable infrastructure solutions and strategies for compliance. With Africa’s digital economy at a turning point, the summit aims to chart a path toward a self-reliant, secure, and innovative technological future.