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Underlining the importance of technology and telecommunications on the African continent, the world鈥檚 largest Africa-focused tech and telecoms event sees exponential growth

Africa Tech Festival 2021 (including anchor events AfricaCom and AfricaTech), welcomed more than 20,000 registered delegates to its virtual platform last week. This record number of delegates for an online event of this nature, represent a cross-section of more than 8 000 companies. This year the festival had a core focus on sustainability and green ICT, with these underlying themes speaking to the global need to secure the planet鈥檚 future, and not just the future of its inhabitants.

The festival鈥檚 virtual platform also hosted an incredible uptake of engagement among delegates to this premier, Africa-focused Tech event, with more than 14聽000 messages being exchanged on the platform between its global participants.聽 Networking is a key component of both the live event, which usually takes place in Cape Town, as well as the virtual version. Networking is key to finding sustainable business solutions for the developing continent.

More than 153 countries were represented at this year鈥檚 event, which sees 98% of countries on the African continent also in attendance.

Day One鈥檚 agenda was centred around Green ICT and creating sustainability across the continent, with hot topics including leveraging sustainability as a profitability driver (Tracy Bolton, 麻豆原创 Africa) and building a sustainably powered continent (Dr Liangzhou Fang, Huawei Digital Power Technologies).

Solar energy, the pursuit of zero carbon and exploring green investment models were also in focus.聽 An engaging panel discussion titled 鈥楾he Gigawatt Gap鈥�, unpacked the importance of creating African data centre ecosystems that are 4IR-ready 鈥� and green.

Day two was filled with an exciting mix of content, ranging from the growth of women in ICT, the importance of sustainable partnerships and the future of IoT, including technology鈥檚 growing importance to bridge every aspect of every industry.聽 A presentation by Microsoft SA鈥檚 CTO, Ravi Bhat, titled Towards 2030: Transformative technologies shaping Africa鈥檚 next decade, also spoke to this theme.

Tuesday also tackled the cost of bringing the African continent up to scratch in terms of its green credentials, and the requirement for the continent to invest in renewable energy sources.聽 Several key presentations and panel discussions are on the Africa Tech Festival platform for review.聽聽The platform will be accessible for registered delegates for 90 days after the event 鈥� end of February 2022.

Headliners who have addressed the congress this year include the likes of:

• Todd Ashton (Ericsson)
• Razvan Ungureanu (Airtel Africa)
• Mark Victor (Deloitte)
• Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr (Republic of Sierra Leone)
• Douglas Baguma (Innovex)
• Ahmed Badr (International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA)
• Fadi Pharaon (Ericsson)
• Paul Michael Scanlan (Huawei)
• Alioune Ndiaye (Orange)
• Cathy Smith (麻豆原创)
• Roy Henderson (Green Cell Technologies)
• Mahlatse Mashua (Kolisi Foundation)
• Victoria Nxumalo (Girls In STEM Trust)
• Temwani Simwaka (Standard Bank Limited)
• Nozipho T Duma (FNB South Africa)

Another key focus were discussions that looked to define the telco of tomorrow 鈥� their evolution and their continued relevance in the ever-connected world. 聽GSMA鈥檚 latest statistics on 5G coverage show that Only 0.4% of sub-Saharan Africa is covered by 5G network, compared to 17% globally. Africa is especially far behind North America, with 76% coverage. This lag presents both challenge and opportunity for the continent鈥檚 communication providers.

However, perhaps one of the most important topics to capture the attention of all delegates, is the rapidly expanding influence, development, and deployment of Blockchain and crypto-currencies, and how this technology innovation is motivating the evolution of the finance space.

Also, on the line-up was a look at Africa鈥檚 role as an experimental fintech project, and education 4.0, education that is vital to grow the workforce of the future. 鈥淚f the school聽聽gap is not addressed, the聽will continue to widen 鈥� between the advantaged & connected, and the disadvantaged & disconnected.聽 And more broadly, research by聽听&补尘辫;听聽has found that a 10% increase in school connectivity = 1.1% increase in GDP per capita,鈥� commented聽, President, Middle East & Africa 鈥� Ericsson.

Further, affordable broadband and digital access across Africa, the growth of Agritech and, of course, the development of cyber security systems to counteract current and future online and network threats.

The festival continued its support in promoting the growth of women in technology, with the accelerateHER Africa platform once again hosting a series of thought-provoking discussions on the digital divide between the genders, what needs to happen to bridge the gap, as well as how women鈥檚 contributions can benefit the entire continent.

The importance of empowering women in the Tech industry stretches far beyond pure morality, as it is an industry fact that, if women could achieve parity with their male counterparts, then Africa鈥檚 eCommerce space could grow to around $14.5 billion. The question that will feature in many of the fireside chats and panel discussions is how to incentivise both the private and public sectors to invest in the growth of women in tech?

Thursday and Friday presented delegates with a broad cross section of panel discussions and fireside chats, in addition to presentations by a diverse range of speakers representing African and multinational corporations and organisations.

Some of those on the line-up included:

• H.E Huria Ali Mahdi (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Innovation and Technology)
• Miriam Altman (University of Johannesburg)
• Bill Wang (Huawei)
• Tim Andrews (Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
• Jacqueline Shi (Huawei Cloud)
• Dorsaf Bejaoui (Tunisie Telecom)
• Devorah West (Tony Blair Institute for Global Change)
• Ahmer Arsalan (STL)
• Jan Pilbauer (BankservAfrica)
• Mukelani Kheswa (Africa Teen Geeks)
• Dr Bello Moussa (Huawei Southern Africa)
• Tide Xu (Huawei)
• Catherine Holloway (Global Disability Innovation Hub)
• 聽Lee Maina (Huawei)
• Alexandra Fraser (Viridian)
• Jisas Lemasagarai (GSMA)
• Alastair Long (Department for International Trade).

Whilst Friday, 12 November, included:

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Ibrahim Eldeftar (Ericsson Middle East & Africa)

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Eva Andr茅n (Ericsson Middle East & Africa)

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Nitesh Singh (Accenture South Africa)

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Harrison Byrnes (AgUnity).

As always, underpinning tomorrow鈥檚 growth and economy, are the string of entrepreneurs and start-ups who are part of the future tech generation and opportunity providers.聽 Sage words of advice fromOnajite Emerhor, Head of Google Start-ups Africa reminded delegates of the golden rule around starting a new business, by saying: 鈥淵ou should fail. If you aren鈥檛 failing it means you haven鈥檛 tried. The best advice I can give you is fail as quickly as you can, quite early in your career so you can have time to pivot and to grow鈥�

Summing up the mood of the event, and a reminder as to why the world鈥檚 largest and most influential Africa-focused technology and Telecoms event was once again virtual, Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Head of Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa,听Twitter said:聽鈥淚f this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that nothing can be achieved in isolation but rather in collaboration.鈥�

Connectivity, community, and consensus are all key elements of a collaborative world.聽 These premises will be unpacked at the 2022 Africa Tech Festival, which celebrating its 25^th聽anniversary and this brave new world we now find ourselves navigating, will be held live and in person in Cape Town, South Africa 07 鈥� 11 November.

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But it is the impact on the African continent that will be addressed at this year鈥檚 virtual Africa Tech Festival (featuring AfricaCom and AfricaTech) happening 08 – 12 November 2021.

Diving straight in on day one of the conference is聽, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, who is聽passionate about ICT鈥檚 capabilities to be the solution to its own problem (think e-waste and environmental impact).聽 Aki-Sawyerr will give a keynote presentation sharing some insights into her #TransformFreetown strategy that makes use of green ICT principles to forge healthy cities and inclusive communities.

$200M was invested in African green energy start-ups in 2020, an impressive, and growing, figure but one that needs to grow by magnitudes to provide a viable alternative to the fossil fuel industry – is this investment growth likely in the next 5 years, a question that聽Aki-Sawyerr will also present in a fireside chat with聽Grace聽Wachori, Partnerships & Engagement Lead,听BLAB East Africa on Empowering Africa鈥檚 green ICT start-ups.

Access to power will undoubtedly need to underpin the continent鈥檚 future growth, and renewable energy tops that list. Expanding on the dialogue started at Africa Tech Festival in 2020, this year鈥檚 event will include progress reports on Africa鈥檚 adoption of hydro, solar, wind and other forms of cleaner, long-lasting, less environmental impact drivers. Discussions on offer will include the likes of:

• 聽with Bill聽Lenihan, CEO of Zola Electric, Dr. Olufunso Somorin, Regional Principal Officer at the African Development Bank, who is leading the bank鈥檚 work on climate change and green growth across East Africa.聽 Joining them is聽Kellie聽Murungi, Chief investments officer at East African Power, as well as Olamide聽Oguntoye, the tech policy lead at the Tony Blair Foundation for Global Change.
• Bringing (back) power to Africa,听, Founder and CEO of Renewables in Africa, will share updates on some of Africa鈥檚 biggest solar developments, including a pay-as-you go solution to connect off-grid users to electricity.
• The cost of not doing something about climate change now and ICT鈥檚 role in its challenges, can end up potentially costing us everything.聽 Exploring how to radically improve the bottom green line, , COO at 麻豆原创 Africa will deliver some insights on how聽technology holds the key to unlocking green as a profitability driver.
• 聽Kenya is leading the way for Africa鈥檚 journey to a cleaner energy future, already deriving 90% of its power supply from renewable source.
• .聽That Africa (and the world), require new ways of energy to power the planet goes without question.聽 But funding these innovations and installations is another matter entirely. A panel comprising聽 Douglas聽Baguma, Managing Director, Innovex, Dr Olufunso聽Somorin, Regional Principal Officer, African Development Bank, Ahmed聽Badr, Director, Project Facilitation and Support, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Kellie聽Murungi, Chief Investments Officer, East African Power look at ways and means to make Africa鈥檚 New Deal a reality.

Rounding out discussions on Day one, is a panel entitled聽, which explores solutions to the 鈥淒irty Data Centre鈥� power hungry energy consumption of these organisations.

Whilst the impact of technology on the 鈥榞reen economy鈥� and what it can do to enhance our ability to be better, kinder, more inclusive and even more profitable, affects the green credentials of just about every aspect of Africa Tech Festival, the dedicated conversation on Green ICT,听continues on Thursday 11^th聽November with a series of presentations such as:

• A smarter, greener future: Achieving sustainable growth while protecting our planet
• The role of emerging tech in addressing the global climate emergency
• How can Africa鈥檚 4IR potential be realised without causing damage to our natural world?

Also look out for a聽Fireside chat on Thursday entitled: Lighting Africa – Closing the electricity deficit to deliver energy for all. This explores solutions on how to connect the more than 600m people in sub-Saharan Africa still lacking access to electricity, without which, their inclusion in the digital economy is hampered.

For this and more, and to be part of the conversation shaping the future of Africa, register to attend聽AfricaTech Festival – it is currently free and delegates can apply聽. For a complete line-up see the聽.

The post 2021 Africa Tech Festival Set to Explore Where Trees and Technology Meet appeared first on 麻豆原创 Africa News Center.

The world鈥檚 leading Africa-focused technology, media and telecommunications event will take place virtually for the second year in a row. Building on the success of its first-ever digital event in 2020 (thanks to global lockdowns), Africa Tech Festival, the home of AfricaCom and AfricaTech, will once again host global industry leaders, showcase innovation, and promote debate and discussion 鈥� all on one accessible platform 鈥� with a view to connecting the next billion people to the Internet and one another.

Tom Cuthell, (Senior Event Director) and his team have once again drawn on the expertise of more than 300 speakers who will enlighten a global audience as to the developments and opportunities affecting Africa鈥檚 digital transition. Cuthell also shares that the show has been extended saying:聽 鈥淲hilst we miss the physical on-site interaction and debate with our audiences, we are delighted to be able to continue the conversations, albeit virtually again. With so much content on offer by virtue of the event being online, we have taken on board the learnings from 2020 and have extended聽 AfricaTech Festival to a full five days of presentations, talks and debates. This should assist delegates in planning and attending more of their desired sessions. This year we are very proud to announce Africa.com as our partner, we have great admiration for their work and are excited to have them join us for this very special edition of the Africa Tech Festival.

鈥淭his year Africa Tech Festival is going above and beyond to provide the best online experience to all of our attendees. From Google to Twitter, Vodacom to TikTok, we have some of the most influential speakers in African Tech joining us. We can鈥檛 wait for everyone to join us online in November鈥� 鈥� James聽 Williams, Festival Director

However, as we did last year, we will also provide access to all the recorded content to all registered聽 attendees for 30 days after the running of the virtual event, as this also proved to be beneficial for our聽 attendees.鈥�

For 24 years, AfricaCom has been at the forefront of uniting tech and talent and shaping how the continent responds to the digital migration of its socio-economic needs. Key themes that will be聽 explored in this year鈥檚 event include:

鈥� An equitable 4IR for Africa

鈥� The evolution of Africa鈥檚 Telcos 鈥� evolutionary trends

鈥� Digital Infrastructure Investment

鈥� Fair and progressive development supported by policy, governance, and leadership 鈥� Green ICT and the sustainable energy equation.

AfricaTech will also field an exciting line-up in 2021, with streams that include emerging tech and enterprise digital transformation of the African continent. Also on the line-up, delegates can expect聽 to get the latest insights into:

鈥� Building a better digital world

Information Classification: General

鈥� AI for Africa

鈥� Cloud and Data Centres

鈥� Cyber Security and Data Protection 鈥� a very hot topic with a developing Africa a key target for聽 opportunists

鈥� Fintech, MFS, Blockchain and Crypto

鈥� Tracking emerging technology in fields such as AgTech, HealthTech, EduTech and eCommerce 鈥� IoT Africa and

鈥� What does the future of work look like for Africa and Africans in this digitally driven shift?

As always, Africa Tech Festival will field a raft of top rate speakers, who will share their wisdom and聽 insights and no doubt spark debate too. Some of the key presenters and panellists who will share聽 their wisdom with registered delegates are:

鈥� Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone

鈥� Ghada Mostafa Labib, Deputy Minister for Institutional Development, The Ministry of 聽Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)

鈥� Neelesh Pratap Singh, Group Chief Information Officer, Airtel Africa

鈥� Nitin Gajria, Managing Director 鈥� Sub-Saharan Africa, Google

鈥� Cathy Smith, Managing Director, 麻豆原创 Africa

鈥� S茅rgio Pimenta, Regional Vice President for Africa, International Finance Corporation 鈥� Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament 鈥� The Klottey-Korle Constituency, The 聽Republic of Ghana

鈥� Dejan Kastelic, Group CTO, Vodacom

鈥� Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO M-PESA Africa & Chief Officer Financial Services, Safaricom 鈥� Tracy Bolton, COO, 麻豆原创 Africa

鈥� Alex Okosi, Managing Director 鈥� Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA

鈥� Ian Paterson, Chief Investment Officer, Africell Group

鈥� Mungai Munene, Delivery Director, President鈥檚 Delivery Unit 鈥� Executive Office of the 聽President, Republic of Kenya

鈥� Habiba Ben Barka, Chief of Africa Section, United Nations Conference on Trade & 聽Development

鈥� Alastair Long, Trade Commissioner for Africa, FCDO

鈥� Dr. Brook Taye, Senior Advisor, Finance Ministry, Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Information Classification: General

鈥� Mercy Wanjau, Acting Director-General, Communications Authority of Kenya 鈥� Razvan Ungureanu, Chief Technology Officer, Airtel Africa

鈥� Dr. Olufunso Somorin, Regional Principal Officer, African Development Bank

More speakers will be announced in due course. Delegates are reminded to visit the Africa Tech 聽Festival website for updates.

As the importance of technology and telecoms continues to spread their influence, Africa Tech Festival will also re-welcome co-located events such as AccelerateHER, AHUB, the leaders in Summit and another essential summit dedicated to 4IR talent and skills development for Africa.

Registration to attend AfricaTech Festival is currently FREE and delegates can be applied聽

MEDIA 鈥� for media accreditation, please use this

The post Inclusivity And Sustainability Top The Agenda At Africa Tech Festival 2021 appeared first on 麻豆原创 Africa News Center.

The world鈥檚 leading Africa-focused technology, media and telecommunications event will take place virtually for the second year in a row.聽 Building on the success of its first-ever digital event in 2020 (thanks to global lockdowns),听, the home of聽听补苍诲听, will once again host global industry leaders, showcase innovation, and promote debate and discussion 鈥� all on one accessible platform 鈥� with a view to connecting the next billion people to the Internet and one another.

Tom Cuthell, (Senior Event Director) and his team have once again drawn on the expertise of more than 300 speakers who will enlighten a global audience as to the developments and opportunities affecting Africa鈥檚 digital transition.聽 Cuthell also shares that the show has been extended saying: 鈥淲hilst we miss the physical on-site interaction and debate with our audiences, we are delighted to be able to continue the conversations, albeit virtually again. With so much content on offer by virtue of the event being online, we have taken on board the learnings from 2020 and have extended AfricaTech Festival to a full five days of presentations, talks and debates.聽 This should assist delegates in planning and attending more of their desired sessions.

鈥淗owever, as we did last year, we will also provide access to all the recorded content to all registered attendees for 30 days after the running of the virtual event, as this also proved to be beneficial for our attendees.鈥�

For 24 years,听聽has been at the forefront of uniting tech and talent and shaping how the continent responds to the digital migration of its socio-economic needs. Key themes that will be explored in this year鈥檚 event include:

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽An equitable 4IR for Africa

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽The evolution of Africa鈥檚 Telcos 鈥� evolutionary trends

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Digital Infrastructure Investment

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Fair and progressive development supported by policy, governance, and leadership

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Green ICT and the sustainable energy equation.

聽will also field an exciting line-up in 2021, with streams that include emerging tech and enterprise digital transformation of the African continent. Also on the line-up, delegates can expect to get the latest insights into:

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Building a better digital world

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽AI for Africa

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Cloud and Data Centres

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Cyber Security and Data Protection 鈥� a very hot topic with a developing Africa a key target for opportunists

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Fintech, MFS, Blockchain and Crypto

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Tracking emerging technology in fields such as AgTech, HealthTech, EduTech and eCommerce

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽IoT Africa and

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽What does the future of work look like for Africa and Africans in this digitally driven shift?

As always, Africa Tech Festival will field a raft of聽, who will share their wisdom and insights and no doubt spark debate too.聽聽 Some of the key presenters and panellists who will share their wisdom with registered delegates are:

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Bhavesh Mistry, Head of Project Taara Africa, Google

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Cherine Magora, Head of Strategic Partnership 鈥� Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, TikTok

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Head of Public Policy 鈥� Sub-Saharan Africa, Twitter

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Angela Wamola, Acting Head, GSMA Sub-Saharan Africa

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Habiba Ben Barka, Chief of Africa Section, United Nations Conference on Trade & Development

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Alex Okosi,听Managing Director 鈥� Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Ian Paterson, Chief Investment Officer, Africell Group

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Dejan Kastelic, Group CTO, Vodacom

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Neelesh Pratap Singh, Group Chief Information Officer, Airtel Africa

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Cathy Smith, Managing Director, 麻豆原创 Africa

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Dr Brook Taye, Senior Advisor, Finance Ministry, Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Mungai Munene, Delivery Director, President鈥檚 Delivery Unit 鈥� Executive Office of the President, Republic of Kenya

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽German Cufre, Global Manager, International Finance Corporation

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Dr Olufunso Somorin, Regional Principal Officer, African Development Bank

路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽Miriam Altman, Professor of Practice 4IR, School of Economics, University of Johannesburg & Commissioner at National Planning Commission, South African Presidency.

More speakers will be announced in due course.聽 Delegates are reminded to visit the聽聽for updates.

As the importance of technology and telecoms continues to spread their influence, Africa Tech Festival will also re-welcome co-located events such as AccelerateHER, AHUB, the LeadersIn Summit and another essential summit dedicated to 4IR talent and skills development for Africa.

Registration to attend AfricaTech Festival is currently FREE and delegates can apply聽. For a complete line-up see the聽

MEDIA 鈥� for media accreditation, please use this聽.

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