Anambra Set to Host 4th South-East Digital Entrepreneur Conference

By Michael Ovat

Anambra State is set to host the fourth edition of the South-East Digital Entrepreneur Conference, organised by Nigeria-based digital entrepreneurship hub, The Pivot Africa.

The two-day conference is scheduled for October 30 and 31, 2026, at Stanel Dome, Awka, and is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, students, innovators and representatives of Chambers of Commerce from the five South-East states.

The Executive Director of The Pivot Africa, Ifedy Ralph Eze, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference at the organisation’s headquarters in Awka.

Eze said the conference was designed to help business owners and entrepreneurs, particularly traders and businesses in major commercial centres such as Aba and Onitsha, understand how to leverage digital technology to improve their businesses and access new opportunities.

According to him, participants will have opportunities to learn, build networks, develop practical skills, ask questions, connect with industry leaders and explore emerging opportunities in the digital economy.

He said the conference would bring together participants from Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states.

“Our fourth edition of this growing platform is committed to connecting people, ideas, businesses, institutions and opportunities in Anambra, the South-East, Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole,” Eze said.

The conference is themed “Digital Transformation, Shared Growth, and Prosperity for All.”

Explaining the choice of theme, Eze said digital transformation had moved beyond the technology sector and was increasingly shaping how people learn, work, communicate, market products and build businesses.

“Digital transformation is no longer a conversation reserved for technology companies,” he said.

“Technology is changing how we learn, work, build businesses, communicate, market products and create opportunities.”

He identified artificial intelligence, digital platforms, automation, fintech, e-commerce and digital marketing as some of the technologies transforming the business environment.

Eze said the conference would focus on how entrepreneurs and young people could take advantage of these developments while ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reached a wider segment of society.

“How do we make sure that the entrepreneur in Awka can leverage technology to grow? How does a young person acquire the skills needed for the future? How can women building businesses gain greater access to markets, networks and opportunities?” he asked.

He added that the conference would also examine ways of helping existing businesses become more digitally competitive and enabling institutions and communities to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Beyond the annual conference

Eze described the conference as part of a wider ecosystem of programmes operated by The Pivot Africa throughout the year.

He highlighted the Pivot Challenge Bootcamp, which is designed to expose participants to entrepreneurship, technology and innovation while encouraging them to develop practical solutions.

He also mentioned Women in Power, an initiative focused on connecting and empowering women who are leading businesses and creating impact across different sectors.

Another initiative, the Legacy Circle, focuses on leadership, impact and initiatives aimed at creating value that extends beyond individuals.

The organisation will also hold the Pivot Awards as part of the conference to recognise individuals, businesses and organisations for contributions in areas including innovation, leadership and impact.

“We do not want The Pivot to be something that happens only once a year,” Eze said.

“We want it to become an ecosystem where people can continuously learn, connect, build, grow and contribute.”

Three access categories

The 2026 conference will offer three categories of access.

The Starter Pass is free and is intended to provide an entry point for people who want to participate without paying a premium fee.

Eze said the free option was created to ensure that access to ideas, knowledge and conversations was not limited to people who could afford premium tickets.

The Standard Pass costs ₦10,000, with a 15 per cent discount for group bookings of three to five people. It is targeted at delegates seeking deeper engagement with mentoring, resources and growth opportunities.

The Elite Pass costs ₦50,000, with the same 15 per cent group discount. According to the organisers, it provides enhanced access, including premium positioning, curated introductions and exclusive experiences.

“So whether you are a student, entrepreneur, professional, business leader or someone simply interested in discovering what is possible, there is an access level designed to meet you where you are,” Eze said.

He urged interested participants to visit conference.thepivot.ng for registration details, the conference programme and information on the various access categories.

The press conference was attended by The Pivot Africa Project Manager, Chinaza Jacob; Pivot Schools Connect Manager, Felix Chibuisi; Pivot Women Leader, Ogidi Favour; Chief of Staff to the Executive Director, Dr Clive Igbinevbo; and other members of the organisation.

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