Organizer and Collaborators
Media Partner
The First International Forum On Innovation And Technology For National Development
Advancement and Sustainment
- Hotel VIP Praia, Cape Verde
- 13–17 July, 2026
Program Overview
ABOUT THE FORUM
The International Forum on Innovation and Technology for National Development convenes leaders, policymakers, technology experts, scholars, and development practitioners from Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Australia to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore practical pathways for innovation-driven national development.
LANGUAGE OF THE FORUM
The official working language of the Forum will be English. Portuguese language support will be available for participants attending the Forum in Cabo Verde.
Participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Australia are welcome.
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
Across developing and emerging economies, national development efforts continue to face structural inefficiencies, fragmented project implementation, limited systems integration, and slow adoption of emerging technologies. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation are transforming private sector operations globally, public sector systems and development institutions often struggle to harness these tools strategically.
There is an urgent need for a structured, systems-based, practice-driven approach that integrates innovation, AI, policy design, and project execution into national development frameworks.
The First International Forum on Innovation and Technology for National Development is conceived as a high-level executive platform to address this need. Hosted in Praia, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde Islands)—a strategic Atlantic bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Americas—the Forum will convene senior public servants, development practitioners, academics, industry leaders, and institutional decision-makers to engage in structured dialogue and applied learning.
PURPOSE
The Forum seeks to:
Strengthen institutional capacity in systems thinking and AI-enabled project management
Promote practical innovation frameworks for national development
Facilitate cross-country learning and regional collaboration
Support alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Build a global network of professionals committed to sustainable national advancement
STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME
The event consists of two integrated components delivered as one executive participation package:
A. Pre-Forum Executive Masterclass
Public Sector Project Management in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
5-Day Intensive Programme
The Masterclass combines:
Systems Thinking using the DEJI Systems Model®
AI-driven project planning and execution
Cost, schedule, and performance optimisation
Interdisciplinary approaches
Capstone group project
Professional certification
B. International Forum Sessions
The Forum provides high-level dialogue on:
Innovation in national development
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
Industrial and infrastructure development
University roles in development ecosystems
Public sector reform and sustainability
Regional collaboration and investment
Target Participants
The Forum is designed for:
Senior public servants and policymakers
Directors and programme managers
Innovation and digital transformation leaders
Development agency professionals
University administrators
Consultants and strategic advisors
Infrastructure and industry executives
Expected Outcomes
Participants will:
Acquire applied tools for national development project execution
Develop practical AI integration strategies
Strengthen cross-sector and cross-country partnerships
Enhance institutional reform capabilities
Join an emerging international network of innovation-driven development leaders
Presenters and Resource Persons
Professor Adedeji Badiru
Chief Presenter and Facilitator
Professor Adedeji Badiru is a world-renowned educator and engineer, currently serving as Dean Emeritus at the US Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). His distinguished career reflects a unique blend of academic leadership, high-level engineering research, and prolific authorship.
Academic & Professional Leadership
- Institutional Impact: Former Dean and Department Head at AFIT, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Oklahoma, where he led doctoral and master’s programmes for the US Air Force.
- Credentials: Registered Professional Engineer (PE) and certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
- Education: Holds a Ph.D. from the University of Central Florida, an M.S. in Mathematics, and both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Tennessee Technological University.
Global Recognition & Awards
Professor Badiru is a Fellow of multiple elite organizations, including the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and IISE. His recent accolades include:
- 2024: Tau Beta Pi Distinguished Alumnus & ASEE Donald G. Newnan Teaching Excellence Award
- 2022: BEYA Career Achievement Award (Government)
- 2020: Lifetime Achievement Award from Taylor & Francis
Key Contributions & Expertise
- Innovation: Holds a U.S. trademark for the DEJI Systems Model (Design, Evaluation, Justification, and Integration).
- Prolific Author: Has published over 45 books, 200 journal articles, and 220 conference presentations.
- Specialized Interests: Mathematical modeling, systems design, project optimization, and productivity improvement.
- Global Service: Member of the Fulbright Specialists Program and an ABET Program Evaluator.
Dr Chudey Pride
Facilitator and Programme Director
Dr. Chudey Pride is a communication strategist, public relations expert, and higher education consultant with extensive experience in strategic communication, institutional development, and professional capacity building. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication and has facilitated policy dialogues, leadership workshops, and professional training programmes for academic institutions, public sector organisations, and development initiatives across Africa and internationally.
His work focuses on the strategic intersection of communication, innovation, and technology in strengthening institutions and advancing national development.
At this Forum, he serves as Facilitator and Programme Director, guiding dialogue among global participants on innovation-driven pathways for sustainable national transformation.
Mr. David Anthony Mayfield
Lead Presenter
Topic: “Practical Project Management for National Development”
Tony Mayfield is a high-level Systems Engineer and Engineering Manager with over 35 years of experience, specializing in mission-critical sectors such as the DOE, NNSA, and DoD.
Core Expertise
- Systems Lifecycle Management: Expert in the full lifecycle—from concept and requirements traceability to commissioning and operational readiness.
- Technical Governance: Deep knowledge of interface management, risk mitigation, and verification/validation (V&V) in highly regulated, high-stakes environments.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Proven ability to synchronize engineering, safety, IT, and procurement teams while managing vendor performance.
Strategic Value
- Systems Thinking: Known for a holistic approach that integrates technical discipline with project management (PMP) to ensure cost and schedule certainty.
- High-Level Communication: Skilled at translating complex technical challenges for government sponsors and executive leadership.
- Regulated Environments: Extensive background in nuclear and defense programmes, where compliance and precision are paramount.
Dr. Maria Madelina Spencer Lopes
International Scientist, Dakar, Senegal
Topic: “African students and scholars embracing the
new technologies for agricultural development”
Dr. Maria Madelina Spencer Lopes is a Senegalese-Cape Verdean scientist living in Dakar, Senegal. After a solid education at the Université Chekh Anta Diop in Dakar, concluded with a Doctorat d’Etat ès Siences in 1992, with a major in plant cell biology. She went on to teach at the same University. After various trainings in plant tissue culture as a Fulbright fellow at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus, Connecticut, USA in plant molecular biology and plant mutagenesis in Vienna, Austria. She worked as an Associate Professor in teaching and research at Uvalde County Appraisal District (UCAD), Uvalde, Texas, USA, then as a visiting scientist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA. She completed her career as a Technical Officer at the Plant Breeding and Genetics Section at the IAEA in Vienna. As such she worked with various counterparts from different countries, promoting the application of these technologies in plant breeding.
Mr. Wahab Olanrewaju Badiru
Topic: “The New Engine of National Progress”
Mr. Wahab Olarenwaju Badiru is the Founder and CEO/MD of Data Sphere Technology Limited in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a Graduate of Computer Science and currently pursuing an additional degree program in CyberSecurity. He previously worked at Nigerian Breweries Plc before joining Ashar Information Services for the Case Automation & Information System Finance, and supported by the British Council and Lagos State Government. In his previous employment, he rose from a Junior Network Engineer to the position of a Senior Software Engineer. He later joined Fintrak Software as a Senior Developer and rose to become the Team Lead of the BI & Analytics team. After spending 8 years with Fintrak, he started Data Sphere Technology Limited in 2015. His company has delivered solutions to Financial Institutions across several African countries, including Nigeria. The company continues to make technology contributions to national development programmes across African countries.
Prince Olugbenga Adewoyin
Topic: “Human Rights, Migration, Innovation and Artificial intelligence: A contextual and experiential discourse in an island nation”
Prince. Olugbenga Adewoyin is a diplomat and social entrepreneur. He is the founder of International Human Rights Movement, Cape Verde. Olugbenga Adewoyin is an empowerment strategist who strives to create environment where creativity and innovations thrive. He is committed to continuous growth and transformation, and believes that empowering people is the key to sustained institutional success. Adewoyin is also a co-founder and the chairman of English Development Centre Praia. He also serves as the President, diplomatic relations, Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club.
Damilola Adelaja
Topic: “Specialized AI Training for Leveraging Technology
for National Development”
Damilola Adelaja is a Technical Support Engineer and Solutions Lead with over five years of experience in satellite broadcasting, enterprise IT infrastructure, and digital systems deployment. He currently works with HD Networks in Lagos, where he manages broadcast streaming systems and technology infrastructure that support media distribution across multiple locations.
Damilola has led several technology initiatives including the deployment of streaming monitoring systems, AI-assisted translation workflows, and network infrastructure upgrades such as Starlink connectivity for business operations. His work focuses on using practical technology solutions to improve efficiency, reliability, and productivity.
He holds a Higher National Diploma in Computer Engineering with distinction from Lagos State Polytechnic and has completed professional training in IT support and systems administration through Google and Coursera programs.
Damilola is passionate about helping professionals and business leaders understand and apply practical digital skills and AI tools to improve their daily work and decision making
Miss Kanyinsola Davies
Programme Assistant
PARTICIPATION STRUCTURE
Executive Participation Package Includes:
- Full access to the Forum
- Full participation in the 5-day Executive Masterclass
- Certification
- Networking sessions
- Forum materials
- Tea breaks and working lunches
- Curated capital city tour of Praia, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde Islands), and cultural experience
Further Enquiries and Contact Details
For enquiries regarding participation or visa support, please contact the Forum Secretariat:
- Email: forum@chudeypride.com
- Tel: +238 92 63 208 (Normal Calls and SMS only)
Further information on registration, participation, and other contact details for this International Forum are available on the following websites:
- https://chudeypride.com
- https://chudeypride.com/international-forum
- https://www.ABICS.com/international-forum
- https://www.dspheretech.com/international-forum
Important Notice:
All official communication and payment instructions for this Forum are provided only through the above websites and the official email: forum@chudeypride.com. Participants are advised to disregard any unofficial messages or alternative payment requests.
Participation Fee:
Early Executive Rate: €550 (USD 660) or equivalent in Cabo Verde Escudos (Valid until 15 May 2026), after which the Standard Executive Rate applies.
Standard Executive Rate: €750 (USD 890) (or equivalent in Cape Verde Escudos)
Note:
Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of participants.
Participants who need assistance with airport pickup or hotel reservations can contact the organisers separately; such arrangements are at the participant’s own cost.
Visa Requests: Letters to support visa applications will be issued based on payment and confirmed participation, and are subject to early and timely request.
Information on, and procedures for, online visa applications for Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) are available at https://www.ease.gov.cv.
Kindly check the website to confirm conditions, procedures, eligibility, and exemptions for visa applications.