The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Start Innovation Hub, Hanson Johnson, has called for a strategic shift in Africa’s technology ecosystem from consumer-focused applications to deep technology innovation.
Speaking at SAIPEC 2026 at the Eko Convention Center, Johnson said Africa must move “beyond the app economy” and focus on building foundational technologies capable of transforming key industries.
“For too long, Africa’s tech brilliance has been concentrated on the service layer — apps and delivery platforms,” he said. “The real billion-dollar opportunity lies in Deep Tech.”
Johnson emphasized the need for artificial intelligence systems capable of optimizing critical infrastructure such as power grids, as well as the development of “Digital Twins” — virtual replicas designed to capture and preserve the expertise of veteran engineers for industrial application.
He described the upcoming Africa Deep Tech Conference 2026 as a pivotal platform for advancing the continent’s innovation agenda. According to him, the conference schedule features world-class keynote speakers and technical sessions aimed at accelerating Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Johnson noted that the continent must transition “from consumption to creation,” urging innovators not merely to participate in global markets but to build technologies that enhance industrial efficiency and productivity.
He encouraged stakeholders across the public and private sectors to attend the conference, describing it as an opportunity to bridge what he termed Africa’s “reality gap” in advanced technology development.