Over the past 20 years and more, AfricaCom has become synonymous with thought-provoking content, diverse opinion and visionary insights. AfricaCom 2019 will be no exception, with a speaker line-up set to inform, inspire and even challenge attending delegates to think beyond the norm in creating the solutions for tomorrow’s world in Africa.
The AfricaCom Headliners feature 30 of Africa’s most prominent digital tech and telecoms thought-leaders. Discussions around digital transformation, sustainability and driving enterprise and entrepreneurial growth through communications and connectivity, will take centre stage at the Headliner sessions. And, the best bit? They are all completely free to attend and take place each day of AfricaCom.
Tom Cuthell, Event Director at Informa, organisers of AfricaCom and AfricaTech said: “Each year, we look to provide further value to all our delegates. The importance of the conversation around telecommunications and technology – convergence and potential – is highlighted at AfricaCom and I believe that the content this year, is particularly excellent and will indeed, be a valuable contribution to Africa’s progression.”
Here are some of the AfricaCom 2019 Headliners to look forward to:
The Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, the newly appointed Minister of Information and Communications for the Republic of Sierra Leonne, is a firm believer in the power that unlocking Africa’s connectivity can have, for the continent as a whole. Swaray will be joined by The Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications, Republic of Ghana, as well as Nic Rudnick, CEO of Liquid Telecom and Mohamed Dabbour, EVP Africa at Millicom. Together, they will examine economic growth through digital connectivity, including a robust discussion around the need for ICT strategies to encourage entrepreneurs to do business across borders.
Sport and particularly football, is a passion for multitudes of people but, as we move ever further into the digital realm, it is becoming increasingly necessary to adapt strategies to keep fans engaged and coming back for more. Discussing this, Ahmad Ahmad, President at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will present a session around ‘The Digital Game.’
Adaptation to a technology-led world is an ongoing conversation, and one that will be driven by a panel discussion moderated by De Wet Bischoff, Managing Director for Communications, Media and Technology, South Africa at Accenture. This CXO Panel will also explore how digitalisation is impacting business efficiency, how telcos need to adapt to 4.0 and what the user experience of the future will be like.
Despite leaps in technology, the world is still an unequal society. A key theme at this year’s AfricaCom is how technology can address this divide, empower and transform societies to ensure digital inclusivity and democracy. A keynote address that will look at digital transformation through the telco lens and engage will be presented by Rob Shuter, Group President and CEO of MTN on how to ensure the digital society is an inclusive one. Underpinning every discussion throughout AfricaCom, will be the rollout of 5G and the opportunities this presents. The monetisation of 5G is a critical presentation that will take place on Tuesday 14th November and is not to be missed.
On Wednesday 15 November, the Headliner sessions kick-off with a panel discussion, moderated by Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, Chairperson ICASA, on the framework needed to propel Africa forward. The right environment needs to be created to encourage innovation and the investment needed to unlock Africa’s potential. What will unlock it?
Other presentations and panel discussions on Wednesday will continue the conversation around what is still needed for Africa’s digital economic transformation. What do enterprises need in order to update their legacy approach to embrace a more digi-centric approach to future customers, for example. Speaking to the future, Isobel do Santos, Chairwoman of UNITEL, Angola’s largest telecommunications provider will lead a discussion around the emerging technologies that are required to support a vibrant and secure digital economy, while Calvo Mawela, CEO of the Multichoice Group, will present a paper on leveraging digital and human capabilities to enable business success.
With innovation a key theme at this year’s event, Thursday will herald the final round of the Africa50 Innovation Challenge: Crowdsourcing innovative solutions to drive last mile connectivity on the continent. This session showcases the shortlisted ICT developers, innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs as part of the Africa50 Innovation challenge to help increase access to high-speed internet in under-served areas in Africa.
The winning solutions will receive cash prizes and/or will be considered for project development funding. Projects will be rolled-out in Rwanda as the pilot country, with the objective to scale them up to other countries in Africa.
