What to expect at #AfricaCom 2019

Techloy
Techloy
Nov 5 · 3 min read

With just a week before the players in Africa’s tech industry converge at AfricaCom, one of the leading technology, media and telecoms event in the continent, we bring you some of the key highlights to expect at the event.

The event, which features several co-located events such as AfricaTech, 5G Africa, Video Exchange Africa, The AI Summit Cape Town and IoT World Africa and more, has become a driving force in bringing businesses, innovators, policy makers and investors together to shape how the African continent will respond to the growing demands of a digital world.

This year, there are several key sessions, so here’s what to expect from AfricaCom:

  • A special AfricaCom Ministerial Panel: Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Human Capital Development for Africa, to be hosted by Hon. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Communications, Republic of South Africa and led by a selection of African Ministers and discussions.
  • There will be keynotes and presentations from industry experts, plus a series of masterclasses, panel discussions and debates led by some of the industry must-hear experts at the AfricaTech Centre stage.
  • An all-female panel moderated by Terryanne Chebet featuring Paula Ingabire, Isabel dos Santos, Juliet Ehimuan, Carole Wamuyu Wainaina, and Charlene Verzmoter will discuss how to use emerging technologies to support a vibrant and secure digital economy.
  • A Facebook WiFi panel featuring Tongai Maramba (Facebook) Abiola Ajayi (Facebook), Abdou Kane (WAW Telecom), Erik Hersman (BRCK), and Kendall Ananyi (Tizeti), will discuss the most pressing challenges facing the Wi-Fi ecosystem, and the formidable opportunities ahead.
  • Frédéric Debord, CEO of Orange Cameroon will highlight how the French telecom giant is supporting Cameroon’s tech start-up ecosystem.
  • A panel will discuss what rural connectivity with infrastructure sharing policy would look like, how network sharing will boost rural connectivity; and what technical challenges could limit the benefit of infrastructure sharing for rural connectivity across Africa.
  • Fola Olatunji-David, Head of Startup Success for Launchpad Africa at Google will present how launchpad is helping African startups grow.
  • How can policymakers and business leaders help to accelerate the growth of Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to generate jobs and strengthen economies? A panel will discuss how scaling start-ups can scale economic impact in Africa.
  • What are the current and future trends of African start-ups in the Fintech space? How will the 4th industrial revolution affect investment in African countries? A panel on Fintech Investment and Start-ups in Africa will answer these questions.
  • Another all-female ‘Women in Tech’ panel will identify and discuss the challenges of women breaking into the technology industry. How can the technology industry be more attractive for women? How can remote and flexible working empower more women into the tech industry?
  • With Africa having one of the youngest and fastest growing population in the world, coupled with the adoption of automation, robots and AI, as well as the increasing brain drain, a panel will address how we can equip the future workforce for the fourth Industrial Revolution.
  • This panel discussion on Investing in African tech start-ups: the why, how and where, will feature Andrea Boehmert of Knife Capital, Hetal Patel of Mercy Corps Ventures, Ian Lessem of HAVAÍC and Tony Onuk of RootHub.

The AfricaCom Awards will once again recognise the best companies, solutions, products and personalities improving connectivity in the continent, with MTN and Huawei leading nominations for the industry awards.

Now in its 22nd year, the #AfricaCom conference which takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from November 12–14, will cover the most strategic issues affecting companies in Africa’s digital market, including services, efficiency, profitability, customer experience, partnerships, policy and more.

Techloy | African technology news and startup culture

Techloy is a digital publication covering technology and innovation in Africa, since 2008.

Techloy

Written by

Techloy

Covering news and insights about innovation and technology in Africa. Get in touch: hello@techloy.africa

Techloy | African technology news and startup culture

Techloy is a digital publication covering technology and innovation in Africa, since 2008.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade