The Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) has announced the second edition of its flagship Innovators Makers Challenge (IMC) Conference & Innovation Exhibition, scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event will bring together key players in Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications ecosystem, including policymakers, industry chief executives, investors, development partners, financial institutions, innovators and thought leaders.

Sponsored by IHS Nigeria, the conference and exhibition is designed to explore opportunities within Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications sectors, with sustainability at the centre of discussions and activities.

Other partners supporting the event include Hydrogen, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), LBS Sustainability Center (LBSSC) and MTN.

The maiden IMC Conference & Exhibition established the initiative as an emerging platform for innovation, recording more than 300 physical attendees, 759 registrants and 17 innovations during its 2023 edition. The event also contributed to growing interest in sustainability-focused entrepreneurship.

Three years after its launch, IMC 2.0 is returning with a broader mandate aimed at identifying, supporting and accelerating innovative solutions capable of advancing sustainable development and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness.

The 2026 edition will cover a wide range of technology-enabled sectors, including AgriTech, EnergyTech, HealthTech, FinTech, Water Solution Technology, Waste & ClimateTech, Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies, Manufacturing & Industrial Innovation, Education, Infrastructure & Smart Cities, Creative Industries, Digital Governance & Civic Technology, Logistics & Mobility, as well as other areas contributing to economic growth and social impact.

“TTSWG is not only building on the success of 2023 foundation, we are scaling up significantly this year. We’ve expanded IMC 2.0 mandate to accelerate solutions across HealthTech, FinTech, AgriTech, ClimateTech, AI, Manufacturing, Education, Infrastructure, Creative Industries, Digital Governance, and other technology-enabled sectors with proven market validation and measurable economic, social, and environmental impact,” Bankole Oloruntoba, Lead Consultant at TTSWG Secretariat said.

Among the programme components is the ongoing Go-to-Talent Competition, which is open to young Nigerian innovators and entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years old, growth-stage startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as technology and sustainability startups.

Participants will also have access to the IMC Bootcamp, a three-day mentorship programme covering business development, team building, finance and pitching.

The programme will further feature an Innovation Exhibition for startups and established companies, alongside Business Clinics providing legal and business consulting booths.

More than 20 startups, technology firms, research projects and development organisations are expected to showcase solutions focused on sustainable development during the exhibition.

A major attraction will be the IMC Quest Pitch Competition. The five top-performing growth-stage startups from the IMC Bootcamp will present their business ideas before a judging panel, which will determine the winners at the conference.

The top three winners will share ₦9,200,000 in seed capital. The winner will receive ₦7,000,000, while the first runner-up will receive ₦1,200,000 and the second runner-up will receive ₦1,000,000.

Bankole said the winning startups will also undergo a structured six-month post-competition incubation programme. The initiative is intended to strengthen accountability, improve investment outcomes and provide support for sustained business growth beyond the competition.

Another major feature of the 2026 conference and exhibition will be the launch of the Telecommunication and Technology Citizenship Awareness Roadmap (TATCAR) 2023–2026. The roadmap will capture key updates and best practices intended to promote responsible growth within the telecommunications and technology sector.

Startups, investors, corporate organisations and development partners seeking to exhibit, pitch or attend the event can register for free through the official registration page: IMC registration page.

The conference is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Source: msmeafricaonline