From Problems

to Products

14th & 15th October 2026
Lagos, Nigeria

Africa is not lacking problems.

We’re surrounded by WICKED problems, worth solving every single day. What we need are more builders bold enough to turn those problems into products that actually work for us.

Building in Africa is not easy. You already know the issues; on again off again power, inconsistent connectivity, broken infrastructure, policy and legislation that struggle to keep up, and not enough capital where it’s needed most.

The road from discovering a problem to creating a product people truly love takes grit, creativity, resilience and community. But make no mistake, young Africans across the continent, are already doing it, building fintech apps, health solutions, logistics platforms, creator tools, AI products and everyday innovations solving real African problems - and doing it well.

From Problems to Products is a call to action for a new generation of African innovators — founders, creators, product people, designers, engineers and entrepreneurs who are tired of waiting for solutions from somewhere else.

Because the future of Africa will not be imported. It will be built here, by us, for us.

The road no straight. But we dey move.

Join us!

Bringing together thought leaders, technologists, and product professionals from around the world to share knowledge, showcase emerging trends, and connect with Africa’s dynamic product community. From practical insights on building products for diverse markets, this event will inspire and equip you to shape the future of technology on the continent.

Networking opportunities, careers fair and tech exhibitions are included.

From Problems to Products

Every session answers one question: what problems are worth our time, and how do you know? Come with a problem you are working on. You will be asked about it more than once.

Morning arc 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Arrival + Product GalleryDoors Open: Built HereProduct gallery, live stands and demo reel
9:30 – 9:45 AM
OpeningThe Road Was Never Straight: One Question for the DayChidi Afulezi (Managing Principal, Red Kola Product Consultancy)
9:45 – 10:15 AM
KeynoteIt Has Never Been Easier to Build the Wrong ThingChristian Idiodi (Partner, SVPG), Dayo Famakinwa
10:15 – 10:40 AM
Builder StoryWe Thought We Knew the Problem. We Were Wrong.Dr. Seyi Ogebule (Host), Deepankar Rustagi (Founder & CEO, Omni Retail), Victor Ndukauba
10:40 – 11:00 AM
Lightning TalkProduct Is Not a DepartmentOlu Akanmu (Executive in Residence, Lagos Business School)
11:00 – 11:10 AM
Networking break
11:10 – 11:35 AM
ConversationWhat Breaks at the Border: One Product, Five MarketsOlawale Oladunni (Global Senior Director, Delivery Hero SE), Andrew Obuoforibo, Interswitch representative (TBA), Victor Ndukauba (Group Deputy MD, Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited)
11:35 AM – 12:00 PM
Product StoryHow do we innovate inside big organisations without becoming part of the problem ourselves?Roger Norton (CPO, OkHi)
12:00 – 12:25 PM
Lightning TalkHow Not to Be the ProblemCharity Ibhadon (Global Product Director, WPP)
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Lunch & LearnEat. Meet. Build.Career clinic and CV review with WorkNigeria, plus a hands-on Canva workshop with PLA: From Problem to Testable Concept in 45 Minutes (bring a laptop)Akeminiabasi Mercy Ubit (Canvasador, Canva), Nkem Nweke (Lead Coach, PLA)
Afternoon arc 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
1:30 – 2:00 PM
KeynoteHow Good Product People Develop Better JudgementPetra Wille (Product Leadership Coach)
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Lightning StoriesBUILT HERE: Three Problems, Three Products, Five Minutes EachWicked Innovation Labs portfolio companies
2:30 – 2:55 PM
Lightning TalkYou Built It. Nobody Came.Hertz Fauzan (Train of Thought)
2:55 – 3:25 PM
Main Stage ConversationWhat Breaks When You Get Big?Moderator: Annu Augustine. Lolan Moodley (Absa Bank Limited), Makopi Nkopodi (Nedbank), Olu Delano (Stanbic IBTC Bank)
3:25 – 3:40 PM
ClosingWhat Will You Build Next?Christian Idiodi (Partner, SVPG), Chidi Afulezi (Managing Principal, Red Kola Product Consultancy)
3:40 – 4:00 PM
Closing MomentThe Builders’ PhotoEvery builder in the room, in one frame. Then straight into networking.
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The CPO summit is a closed-door strategic forum for Africa’s most senior product minds on the continent; leaders driving product strategy at Africa’s largest corporations, financial institutions, and high-growth scale-ups.

Note: CPO Summit Ticket Includes Day 1 of the Conference on 14th October, Exclusive CPO Summit with Christian Idiodi on Day 2 - 15th October, and Virtual Silicon Valley Product Group Masterclass on 10th - 12th November.
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Tailored specifically for founders and entrepreneurs to gain strategic insights, participate in practical problem-solving sessions, and benefit from invaluable networking experiences.

Note: Founder’s Town Hall Ticket Includes Day 1 of the Conference on 14th October, Investor Matchmaking Mixer on 14th October, Founders’ Town Hall on Day 2 - 15th October & Virtual Silicon Valley Product Group Masterclass, 10th - 12th November 2026.
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The SVPG Product Masterclass is for product practitioners and leaders. Delivered over a series of online sessions covering principles from INSPIRED, EMPOWERED, and TRANSFORMED.

Note Masterclass Ticket does NOT include Conference. To attend both, select the ticket labelled Conference + Masterclass.
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