(DDM) – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), commercial banks, fintech innovators, and technology leaders concluded the multi-city Interswitch TechConnect 5.0 series in Lagos, charting a collaborative course for Nigeria’s digital future.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the Lagos edition marked the finale of the series, following previous stops in Enugu and Abuja.
This year’s theme, “United Frontiers: Growth Powered by Innovation, Collaboration and Compliance,” emphasized stronger alignment between regulators and industry players amid rapid transformation in the fintech and payments sector.
Akeem Lawal, managing director of Payment Processing & Switching at Interswitch Purepay, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the platform’s role in fostering dialogue between regulators, banks, fintechs, and innovators.
“At Interswitch, innovation thrives in an environment of trust, collaboration, and shared purpose,” Lawal said. “TechConnect creates a space for the exchange of ideas and shows how compliance can drive scalable growth.
Powering Africa’s digital economy is about people, partnerships, and purpose, not just technology.”
Cherry Eromosele, executive vice president, group marketing and corporate communications at Interswitch, noted that TechConnect has evolved into a platform that unites innovators, regulators, and businesses to transform Africa’s digital ecosystem.
She added that over the past weeks, the series sparked partnerships, inspired ideas, and strengthened policy engagement.
The CBN, represented by Ajakaiye Itanola, deputy director, payments system policy, emphasized the regulator’s commitment to fostering innovation through inclusive and forward-looking regulations.
“We are engaging more industry players, revisiting existing rules, and framing policies that support innovation while ensuring sustainability,” Itanola said.
The Lagos event featured two high-impact panel discussions.
The first, “De-risking Innovation with Regulatory Compliance and Strategic Partnership for Growth,” explored balancing agility with accountability to drive sustainable fintech expansion.
The second, “Compliance as a Catalyst: Unlocking Scalable Innovation, Growth, and Collaboration in the Financial Ecosystem,” focused on how governance and foresight can serve as drivers of innovation.
Industry leaders shared insights on cybersecurity, open banking, artificial intelligence, and frameworks that promote responsible innovation.
Participants also engaged with interactive product showcases, where Interswitch unveiled its latest digital payment solutions designed to enhance efficiency, scalability, and customer experience across multiple sectors.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing partners and contributors who have advanced innovation and inclusion within Nigeria’s fintech landscape.
TechConnect 5.0’s Lagos finale reaffirmed its role as a central hub connecting innovation, regulation, and partnership to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation journey.
