Professor Onwualu Advocates For Innovation-Led Growth as AfricaX Summit 2026 Holds In Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria — The President of the African University of Science and Technology, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu,FAS. has called for ideas, innovation and knowledge to serve as the driving forces behind Africa’s economic transformation.
Prof. Onwualu made this known at the opening of the AfricaX Summit 2026, held from 27 to 29 April in Abuja. He noted that although Africa holds immense economic potential, realising sustainable growth requires intentional policies, strategic thinking and a deeply embedded culture of innovation across institutions, industries and society.
He described innovation as the capacity to turn challenges into opportunities, pointing to the continent’s transition from traditional economic systems to knowledge-driven economies. According to him, sectors such as financial technology, agricultural technology and health technology are already transforming financial inclusion, food security and access to healthcare.
“Innovation is no longer a luxury; it is an imperative,” he said, emphasising that meaningful innovation thrives within ecosystems that encourage creativity, experimentation and strong collaboration between academia, industry and government.
He further highlighted education as the cornerstone of national development, stressing that Africa’s future depends on equipping students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He noted that AUST’s Inspired Innovation Hub is playing a pivotal role by enabling students to move beyond theory into practical solution-building, where ideas are developed and tested to address real-world challenges.
Prof.Onwualu also called for increased synergy among stakeholders, urging governments to create enabling environments through supportive policies and investments, while the private sector provides funding and platforms to scale innovation. He maintained that Africa’s development must be anchored on locally driven solutions tailored to its unique realities.
Chairman of the summit organising committee,Mr. Kingsley Ogwudu, reiterated the importance of innovation in driving sustainable development. He observed that Africa’s youthful population, abundant natural resources and expanding digital ecosystem present vast opportunities, despite ongoing challenges such as climate change, inequality and infrastructural deficits.
“To overcome these hurdles, innovation must remain the cornerstone of our development strategy,” he said, adding that both domestic and international investments must align with Africa’s long-term growth priorities.
The opening ceremony also featured contributions from Dr Albert Harvey, President of Africa Experts for Innovation and Sustainable Development, who spoke on “From Knowledge to Impact: Unlocking Africa’s Innovation Ecosystem”, and Ms Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation, who addressed the theme of inclusive innovation, with a focus on youth, women and the future of Africa’s digital economy.
Day Two of the summit commenced with a presentation by Mr Ogwudu on scaling African innovation for global markets. This was followed by plenary sessions, project presentations and pitching events, as well as a fireside chat featuring Dr Harvey and Ms Okoli. These sessions provided a platform for innovators, policymakers and industry leaders to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges.
The summit concluded with a red carpet gala and award ceremony celebrating excellence in innovation across the continent. Among the honourees was Charles Chukwuma Soludo, whose award was received on his behalf by Ms Okoli. Other award recipients included key national institutions such as NASENI, NCC and PTDF, alongside distinguished contributors including Dr Olushola Okpodu and Dr Albert Harvey
The conference formally closed with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr Ogwudu, who reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration in building an enabling ecosystem where ideas can flourish and drive Africa’s future economic growth.