By Sofiyyah Layole
The Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2025, Future Forward 5.0 delivered one of its most compelling conversations during a panel session that examined the realities of Africa’s digital future.
With leaders such as Aisha Tofa, Board Chair of Startup Kano Center for Innovation Development; Bradwin Roper, Chief Payments & Partnerships Officer at JUMO; and Dr. Stanley Jacob, President of the Fintech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR), dominating the panel, the session offered a unified, honest reflection on technology, Artificial intelligence, talent and the continent’s readiness for the future.
A major concern raised throughout the conversation was the widening disconnect between academic learning and industry requirements.
The panelists observed that many Nigerian graduates, including those with advanced degrees, are not industry-ready because universities continue to operate with outdated curricula.
They stressed that the future cannot be built with theories alone and called for structured, practical exposure through yearly internships and better access to the tools students need to apply what they learn. Without this, the region risks producing highly certified but poorly skilled graduates.
Another strong point was the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. The discussion highlighted that those who thrive in technology are not necessarily the smartest people in the room, but those who remain curious and willing to learn on the job.
Curiosity, the panel agreed, is one of the most powerful accelerators in the digital economy, and young Africans must learn to cultivate it intentionally. The audience was encouraged to embrace a personal cycle of learning, practising, building and sharing, as visibility and consistency now play major roles in career growth.
The panel also spoke about the urgency of developing digital talent at scale. They noted that what was relevant in 2020 is not as relevant in 2025, and only adaptable, teachable individuals will survive the pace of technological change. With organisations like FintechNGR working to train undergraduates and corps members, the panel mentioned that this is important, as moving slowly is dangerous.
Collaboration was also mentioned as another critical pillar for Africa’s tech growth. Rather than approaching innovation as a competition, the panel emphasised the need for stronger alliances between stakeholders, especially between banks and fintechs.
They argued that progress is faster when institutions work together, supported by favourable policies, access to capital and an enabling environment provided by ecosystem leaders.
Artificial intelligence dominated much of the forward looking discussion, with the panel noting that the real divide in coming years will not be between educated and uneducated people, but between those who can use AI and those who cannot.
They Panelists warned that humans who work with AI will replace those who work without it, and that customer service roles are already shifting rapidly to Agentic AI systems.
Companies were urged to move beyond merely adopting new innovations and instead apply them meaningfully, exploring deeper use cases that drive transformation.