Preparations are underway for the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo (RACE 2026), Africa’s leading platform focused on regulatory technology, digital innovation, and policy reform. The high-profile event is scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 May 2026 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
RACE 2026 will be held under the patronage of the Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, in partnership with the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), and in collaboration with the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The collaboration underscores the Conference’s strategic relevance to Nigeria’s national development priorities and Africa’s broader economic transformation agenda.
Anchored on the theme “Building Trust, Infrastructure, Inclusion, and Policy for a Borderless Economy,” the Conference will bring together regulators, policymakers, technology leaders, innovators, investors and development partners to shape the future of Africa’s digital and regulatory ecosystem amid rapidly expanding cross-border trade and financial integration.
As Africa moves to unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a single market of more than 1.4 billion people with an estimated value of US$3.4 trillion, RACE 2026 will focus on a critical continental challenge: aligning technology, regulation, and policy to support seamless, trusted, and inclusive economic activity across borders.
“RACE 2026 is positioned as a strategic policy and innovation platform—where technology-enabled regulation becomes a catalyst for trust, inclusion, and sustainable economic growth across Africa,” Cyril Okoroigwe, Chair of the Organising Committee.
The Conference will highlight how RegTech, SupTech, artificial intelligence, digital identity systems, interoperable payments, cybersecurity, and data-driven compliance solutions can reduce operational friction, mitigate risk, and unlock new opportunities for governments, businesses, startups, and citizens.
Key outcomes of RACE 2026 will centre on building trust through technology-enabled regulation and smarter supervision; strengthening digital infrastructure for interoperable payments, identity, and data exchange; driving inclusion for SMEs, startups, women and underserved populations; and modernising policy frameworks to encourage innovation while safeguarding financial integrity.
RACE 2026 is expected to attract strong global participation, featuring more than 50 international speakers, 10 thematic tracks and over 1,000 in-person and virtual participants from across Africa and the global financial and technology ecosystem. The hybrid programme will include ministerial dialogues, regulators’ CEO forums, innovation showcases, and curated B2B and B2G networking sessions.
A major highlight of the Conference will be the Global Startup World Cup – Regional Challenge, positioning Abuja as a launchpad for Africa’s most promising technology startups to compete on the global stage.
Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President / Executive Secretary, Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), said:
“The 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo aligns strongly with Nigeria’s commitment to economic and financial inclusion. By bringing together regulators, innovators, and policymakers, the Conference provides a critical platform to harness technology and smart regulation as tools for trust-building, inclusion, and sustainable economic growth both within Nigeria and across Africa.”
Attendance at the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo is strictly by registration, which is mandatory for all participants. Early registration is advised due to limited capacity and enhanced security protocols at the Presidential Villa venue.
Organisations interested in partnerships, sponsorships, exhibitions or strategic participation are encouraged to engage with the Organising Committee.
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