Call for speakers
Take the stage in Lagos
October 22–24, National Art Theatre, Lagos. This year’s theme is New Trade Routes: Bringing Africa Onchain. What it takes to move African work onto open rails, and what changes once it is there.
We are looking for builders, operators, investors, policymakers and creators with something specific to say. A talk about one thing you have actually done beats a survey of a field, and we would rather hear a real disagreement than a safe consensus.
6 formats
Pick the one that fits the idea, not the one that sounds most senior. A sharp seven minutes is often worth more than a keynote stretched to fill its slot, and a workshop people leave having built something beats both.
Keynote
Main stageOne person, one argument, the room's full attention. For a thesis you have earned the right to make.
Panel discussion
ModeratedThree or four voices on a question that genuinely divides them. Bring the disagreement, not the consensus.
Fireside chat
ConversationalA longer, less formal conversation. Best when the story behind the work is the interesting part.
Lightning talk
Under 7 minutesOne idea, sharply made, no room to warm up. Often the most memorable thing on a programme.
Technical workshop
Day 1, hands onPeople leave having built something. Bring the repo, the dataset or the contract, and expect a room that wants to follow along rather than watch.
Non-technical workshop
Day 1, hands onThe same shape without the terminal. Fundraising, go to market, design, policy, storytelling: anything people can practise in the room and use on Monday.
6 tracks
The application asks which one your session belongs to. If it sits across two, say so and say why.
AI & Blockchain
Where intelligence meets ownership. Exploring the convergence reshaping the next decade.
Government & Policy
Direct dialogue with regulators, lawmakers, and ecosystem shapers.
Investment & Funding
Bridging founders with the capital fueling Africa's next wave.
Technical Infrastructure
The protocols, primitives, and rails powering what comes next.
Creative Economy
Music, art, fashion, and culture meeting Web3 and AI.
Talent & Career Launchpad
Where Africa's brightest builders meet their next opportunity.
Have these ready
The form asks for all of it in one sitting, and there is no saving halfway. Twenty minutes gathering this first is the difference between a considered application and an abandoned one.
A session title and description
100 to 200 words on what you will actually say. Specific beats broad: a talk about one thing you have done lands better than a survey of a field.
Your bio
100 to 150 words, written in the third person.
A recent professional headshot
Used on the site and in promotion if you are selected, so send the one you would be happy to see on a banner.
Your links
LinkedIn or a personal site, and your X handle. Plus one to three events you have spoken at, with the topic and year, if you have them.
Who it is for
Which audiences the session serves, and which track it belongs to. Both are on the form.
Before you apply
The form asks you to agree to each of these, so none of it should be a surprise when you get there.
- Applying does not guarantee a speaking slot.
- If selected, your name, bio, session title and headshot may be used on the site, in promotional material and on social media.
- Sessions are recorded and photographed, and may be published or shared online afterwards.
- The team will contact you by email or phone about your application, and about logistics if you are selected.
- The form asks whether you can cover your own travel and accommodation if you are coming from outside Lagos.
Applications open soon
The form is not live yet. Get what is above ready now and you will be able to submit in one sitting when it opens. We announce it on X first.
Coming in from outside Lagos? Getting to Lagos covers the venue, visas and accommodation. Not a speaker but still want in? Volunteering is open.