[DIGITAL Business Africa] – The first-ever Mobile World Congress to be held in Africa opens today, 25 October 2022, in Kigali, Rwanda. It is the MWC Africa 2022. The GSMA MWC Africa, the African branch of the GMSA, which is organising the event, will bring together a variety of ICT, telecoms and digital experts, business leaders and policymakers, and of course stakeholders in Africa’s mobile ecosystem, over three days.
The aim of the meeting is to discuss how technology and shared value have the power to drive economic growth for people and businesses in Africa. MWC Africa 2022 will therefore host more than 120 expert speakers and over 60 hours of content. The content will include technological themes such as leadership for connectivity, Fintech and the concepts of “One People – One Purpose” and “Accelerate Africa”.
In addition to President Paul Kagame, the speakers will include Sanda Ojiambo, Under-Secretary-General and Director General of the United Nations Global Compact, who will be joined by Smart Africa’s CEO, Lacina Kone, and the ATU’s Secretary General, John Omo.
“Expect to hear from thought leaders and experts who will share their insights on topics such as how to close the mobile usage gap and power digital transformation to drive economic growth and opportunities for all across our continent,” said GSMA’s Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, Angela Wamola.
The 2022 GSMA Africa Policy Leaders Forum will bring together key stakeholders from ministries, regulatory bodies and the broader mobile ecosystem. Discussions will include how government policy across the region is aligning with technological developments as well as the policy developments needed to advance Africa to the digital economy.
The GSMA would like to extend its thanks to the Rwandan Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Ms Paula Ingabire and the Ministry of ICT for their support as hosts and facilitators of the event.
Partner Programmes and Summits
The 5G Summit will deep dive into commercial 5G services, with a particular focus on Africa, where the journey to 5G has begun, with stakeholders taking steps to accelerate the transition to 5G.
FinTech, which is at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation, is pioneering the availability of financial services and supporting financial inclusion. The FinTech Summit will explore the latest innovations and emerging technologies which are set to shape Africa’s financial services over the next decade.
SVAI and Shift Impact Africa have partnered with the GSMA to bring together the sixth annual Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit (ASVL Summit) and MWC Africa. The ASVL Summit’s unifying theme ‘One Africa, One Voice’ underscores the need for organisations to work together across borders and industries to benefit all Africans. It shows how the economic benefits of creating shared value as a collective can be achieved by close collaboration between stakeholders and companies for social progress and business success.
At the ASVL Summit, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, Ms Sanda Ojiambo will join the session, “Creating Shared Value – Technology as an enabler to driver Africa’s growth.”
Smart Africa has partnered with the GSMA to co-host key organ meetings during MWC Africa. Smart Africa’s co-located meetings at MWC Africa include the Council of Ministers of ICT (CMICT), the Steering Committee and the first edition of the Forum of the Private Sector.
The meetings are an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss regulation and policy frameworks and advance the digital transformation of the continent. Smart Africa actively encourages and supports private initiatives and investments in the technology and communications sectors via the Smart Africa Alliance platform.
Large-Scale Impact
GSMA Mobile for Development (M4D) is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the mobile ecosystem and the development sector. Our work has impacted 126 million lives to date – and counting. We are excited to host our first dedicated “Development Theatre”, where attendees can learn how M4D stimulates digital innovation to deliver sustainable business and large-scale socio-economic impact for the underserved.
Event Partners
MWC Africa’s industry-leading agenda is enabled by the partners of our event. We are proud to have the support of leading global and regional companies including our founding partners Mastercard, MTN, Orange, and ZTE and our supporting partners ASVL Summit 2022 and Smart Africa. Additionally, mobile partner, headline partner Safaricom, and headline sponsors Evina and M-Pesa.
Taking to the stage we will hear from industry and thought leaders, such as:
Dr Robert Ochola, CEO, Africa Nenda, Exploring the FinTech (R)Evolution
David Lotfi, CEO, EVINA, Scaling Innovation for a Digital Africa
Bankole Falade, Chief Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations Officer, Flutterwave, Keynote 3, FinTech: What does the future hold?
Louise Cottar, Strategic Advisor, Hormuud, Delivering a Digital Economy for All
Kunle Iluyemi, CEO, Rwanda, IHS Towers, Network Modernisation
Anne-Rachel Inné, Regional Director, Region Office for Africa, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 5G Summit
Tiekie Barnard, CEO and Founder, Shared Value Africa Initiative and Shift Impact Africa, Empowering You
Ngozi Megwa, SVP Digital Partnerships, EEMEA, Mastercard, Keynote 3, FinTech: What does the future hold?
Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Managing Director, M-Pesa Africa and Ag. Chief Financial Services Officer, Safaricom, “
Keynote 3, FinTech: What does the future hold?; FinTech Summit, The Vision & Strategy of Fintech
Mapula Bodibe, CEO, MTN Rwanda, Network Modernisation
Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs officer, MTN, Delivering a Digital Economy for All
Chika Ekeji, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, MTN Group, What Does Metaverse Mean for Africa?
Serigne Dioum, Chief Digital & Fintech OfficerSummit, MTN Group, The Vision & Strategy of Fintech
Brelotte BA, Deputy CEO, Middle East & Africa, Orange, Keynote 2, Leveraging Tech to Transform Africa, 5G Summit, Exploring the FinTech (R)Evolution
Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President, International Government Affairs, Qualcomm, 5G Summit
Juliana Lindsey, UNICEF Rwanda Country Office Representative, “Delivering a Digital Economy for All”
Steve Chege, Chief Regulatory & External Affairs Officer, Vodacom Group, 5G Summit, Next in Tech
Mariam Cassim, Group CEO Vodacom Financial and Digital Service, Vodapay, “The Vision & Strategy of Fintech”
Ye Xiaohan, Vice President, ZTE Corporation,
About GSMA
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Its vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive.
Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach.
This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today’s biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
By B-O.D, Kigali. Digital Business Africa. Source : GSMA Afrique