Africa Tech Festival is one of Africa’s most prominent technology and telecom conferences, uniting stakeholders to discuss digital transformation across the continent. It serves as a platform to exchange knowledge, celebrate milestones in tech, and strategize about Africa’s future in the digital era. Key players from telecommunications, government, healthcare, financial services, and other industries will gather to share their vision of Africa’s digital future. These sessions typically include discussions on the biggest challenges and opportunities for tech in Africa, from building robust digital infrastructure to nurturing home-grown innovations.
Africa Tech Festival is expected to draw over 15,000 attendees from across the continent and the world, who can look forward to insights from more than 300 exhibitors, and 400 speakers throughout the week.
The 2024 AfricaTech agenda is filled with sessions dedicated to exploring the role of emerging technologies in addressing Africa’s socio-economic challenges. Key topics include the future of connectivity, sustainable digital infrastructure, fintech’s role in financial inclusion, and innovations in healthcare and agriculture.
AfricaCom
AfricaCom is the leading platform for discussions on telecommunications, connectivity, and ICT infrastructure in Africa. As the anchor event of the Africa Tech Festival, it is designed to foster digital transformation across the continent through robust infrastructure and telecommunications services.
AfricaCom discusses the benefits, challenges, and timeline for implementing 5G in Africa, particularly in areas lacking broadband access. The discussion includes topics such as network densification, spectrum allocation, and the potential impact on industries like media and entertainment.
AfricaCom emphasizes satellite technologies for remote connectivity solutions, especially in underserved rural communities. Satellite operators and network providers collaborate to discuss how satellite infrastructure can complement terrestrial networks in driving universal internet access.
One of the biggest challenges Africa faces is developing the infrastructure needed for connectivity. Topics include building data centers, enhancing fiber-optic networks, and improving mobile broadband in growing urban areas.
AfricaCom also covers issues around regulatory frameworks, spectrum management, and government policies that support the deployment of telecommunications networks.
AfricaTech
AfricaTech is the arm of the festival that looks beyond telecommunications to explore how emerging technologies are transforming multiple industries in Africa. This event focuses on digital transformation, innovation, and the adoption of new technologies across various sectors.
AfricaTech showcases cutting-edge solutions in mobile payments, blockchain, and digital banking. With mobile money already booming in Africa, the event looks at how fintech can be scaled further to include cross-border payments and offer more sophisticated services like insurance, loans, and investments.
Leveraging digital solutions to address the healthcare infrastructure gaps in Africa, HealthTech focuses on telemedicine, mobile health platforms, and the use of AI for diagnostics. The event showcases how digital health can be scaled to reach rural populations.
With agriculture being a backbone of many African economies, AfricaTech covers innovations that drive productivity, such as precision agriculture, smart farming tools, and IoT-enabled devices for better resource management.
The event also highlights government technology solutions, including e-governance, digital ID systems, and smart city initiatives aimed at improving public services.
AfricaIgnite
AfricaIgnite is a high-energy segment of the festival designed to inspire and engage participants through interactive content and live demonstrations. It is where startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators come together to showcase disruptive ideas and tech solutions.
AfricaIgnite will host live pitch competitions where entrepreneurs from across Africa present their innovative solutions. It provides a stage for African startups to gain exposure and attract funding from investors.
The event offers live product demonstrations, giving participants a hands-on look at new technologies in action. It is designed to show how tech solutions can solve real-world problems in areas like health, education, and agriculture.
AfricaIgnite offers various interactive workshops, training sessions, and mentorship opportunities for budding entrepreneurs. Industry leaders provide insight into scaling businesses, accessing markets, and securing investments.
AI Summit Cape Town
The AI Summit Cape Town is the leading event focusing on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be leveraged for economic and social development in Africa.
The summit explores how AI can optimize critical infrastructure such as energy, transportation, and urban planning. For example, AI can help improve traffic management in rapidly growing cities, optimize energy consumption, and aid in sustainable infrastructure development.
AI’s role in improving healthcare access and diagnostics is a critical focus. Topics include AI-driven tools for diagnosing diseases, tracking pandemics, and optimizing healthcare delivery in resource-constrained environments.
The event also covers the ethical considerations around deploying AI in Africa. With issues like data privacy and algorithmic bias being global concerns, the summit explores how Africa can adopt AI responsibly.
The summit features interactive workshops where participants can learn how to implement AI solutions in their businesses or industries. It also serves as a platform for policy makers, tech professionals, and AI enthusiasts to network, share knowledge, and collaborate.
2024 Features:
AfricaCom Awards: The AfricaCom Awards celebrate innovation and achievement in the telecoms and digital sectors across the continent. These awards recognize companies and individuals making significant contributions to Africa’s connected future. Categories span across technology innovations, leadership, and social impact.
AFEST: AFEST is the social highlight of the festival, offering a relaxed, informal networking environment. It brings together festival attendees for live music, entertainment, and networking, creating a space for partnerships and collaborations outside the formal conference setting.
LeadersIn Africa Summit 2024: This summit is a closed-door event bringing together high-level executives and decision-makers to discuss Africa’s digital future. It focuses on leadership and strategy, with a particular emphasis on fostering a regulatory environment that supports innovation and digital growth.
EQL: The EQL provides a space to promote diversity and inclusion in the African tech industry. It is dedicated to creating equal opportunities for underrepresented groups, especially women, to thrive in the tech sector. Discussions here focus on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of inclusive policies.
InspiringFifty Africa 2024: The InspiringFifty initiative highlights the top 50 women in tech across Africa, celebrating their contributions to the continent’s digital transformation. This segment is about recognizing and fostering the talents of female leaders in tech, and creating role models for the next generation of women in STEM fields.
Next Gen Talent: The Next Gen Talent Day focuses on nurturing young talent in Africa’s tech industry. It includes workshops, career development sessions, and mentorship programs designed to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy. This initiative also connects them with potential employers and industry leaders.
2024 Official Partner Events: In collaboration with global and regional partners, AfricaTech 2024 features several partner events like InspiringFifty Africa 2024, Founder & Investor Day, Hamwe Networking Night 2024, Broadband and the Digital Transformation in Africa, and YALI Expo that will complement the main sessions. These events focus on specific verticals or regions and provide additional opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration.
The Africa Tech Festival is an essential platform for discussing and showcasing how technology can drive Africa’s digital transformation. From innovations in fintech, healthtech, and AI, to discussions around the future of telecom infrastructure and leadership in digital transformation, the event fosters collaboration between industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. Whether it’s startups pitching their ideas at AfricaIgnite, networking at AFEST, or discussing AI’s ethical implications at the AI Summit, the event serves as a comprehensive space for shaping Africa’s tech future.
