WELCOME CEO, Extensia

Welcome remarks – Conference Programme Sponsor – Mastercard

Keynote Opening National Objectives and Priorities – Minister, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MinT)

This keynote on ICT infrastructure addresses tech trends as well as their broader impact on economic transformation, productivity gains, and impact metric frameworks. The speaker will assess emerging technologies, sketch out metrics frameworks, and share implementation tips.

Senior Advisor – International Telecoms Union (ITU)

The rise of ML and AI, particularly GenAI in the last couple of years, has unlocked unprecedented opportunity – while also throwing up serious issues of digital divides and harmful impact. This session will assess what composes an effective AI strategy for organisations as well as nations, ranging from data infrastructure and quality to algorithms and an AI-forward culture that embraces trust, transparency and accountability.

Moderator: ICT Consultant

COO – Shega Media and Technologies

Director of IT – ICTA Mauritius

Acting Chief Technology & Information Officer – Safaricom

Providing world-class services along with inclusive access to remote areas are high priorities for governments – but pose commercial challenges for operators. Here we ask operators and service providers to share perspectives about how such core objectives can be aligned

CEO – Safaricom Ethiopia

COO -Extensia Limited

From remittances to mobile wallets, the financial services space has opened up unprecedented opportunity. We examine how telcos, banks, financial services giants, and startups are transforming this sector—and the new kinds of partnerships that are forming.

Business Development Director for Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan – Mastercard

Short presentations from vendors and solution providers, showcasing solutions for ICT infrastructure and digital transformation.

Vice President, Sales, Africa – ABS

Regional sales Director – Mobile Technologies

ICT infrastructure can effectively deliver foundations for digital transformation in large firms and SMEs across sectors. This applies to organisations at the national level as well as cross-border activities like international trade. This cross-sectoral panel dissects ICT outcomes and opportunities.

Moderator: Director for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics – Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

Director of Cloud Ecosystem & Alliances -Wingu.africa

VP of Sales Africa – ABS Satellite

Business Development Director – Mastercard

General Manager – Raxio Ethiopia

Navigating the path to success requires not just the latest digital technologies and tools but also the right approach to governance, policies and regulation. Stakeholders need to balance the need  for innovation, investment and competition with the need to protect consumers and promote public welfare, as discussed in this panel.

Moderator: Country Director – Oxford Policy Management

Chief Human Resources Officer – iCog Labs

Senior Business Developer – Groupe Sonatel

CEO and Founder – Click Mobile

An insight into how government and business leaders of Ethiopia are supporting the growth of national connectivity and digital infrastructure while also looking to provide services to neighbouring countries. Lessons and recommendations will be shared for stakeholders across Africa.

Moderator: Economist – Ethiopian Internet Society Member

Principal, Payment Systems Oversight & Dev’t – National Bank of Ethiopia

Senior Director – Wingu.Africa

University Dean – Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

Director – Ethiopian Communications Authority

Africa’s business process outsourcing (BPO) market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, to around $10 billion by 2029. This session explores what it takes to create next-generation hubs of BPO in the face of stiff competition from Asia as well as the rise of automation and AI which may well take away key jobs. How can African countries collaborate in this regard while also competing with each other?

Moderator: Technology Advisor to The Governor – National Bank of Ethiopia

Managing Director – IE Networks

President- ICT Association Ethiopia (ICT-ET)

University Dean – Addis Ababa University

Speed, performance, affordability, and security are some key characteristics for tomorrow’s technologies. This is our chance to glimpse the future, assess the feasibility of the latest technologies, and explore how industry and academia can collaborate for innovation.

Moderator: Group COO – WTES

CISO – Hibret bank

CTO – IWM Network Solutions

CEO – TESPOK

Cutting-edge use of technology like AI/ML, edge computing and cloud can truly transform urban life. At the same time, operators need effective business models and regulator support to enable digital access in remote rural areas. How can both these objectives for urban and rural markets be met?

Moderator: COO – Extensia

Director, Payment Application – EthSwitch

Senior Investment Advisor – British Embassy Addis Ababa

Group COO – WTES

RAXIO DATA CENTER – ETHIOPIA

Climate change and the UN SDGs need to be factored in for future business strategies. The workforce also needs to be more embracing of diversity and inclusion. This thought-provoking keynote will shed light on the workforce capabilities of the future, and what actions are needed today.

Director – Spiralytix

Assistant Professor – Addis Ababa University

Effective financial strategies can help people and organisations amplify their wealth. New models of lending enable education and health insurance for underserved markets. This panel examines how digital transformation helps the wealthy as well as aspiring segments of society.

Moderator: Conference Chair – Extensia

Market Implementation Director for Ethiopia – Mastercard

Technology Advisor to The Governor – National Bank of Ethiopia

Chief Digital Financial Services Officer – Safaricom

The future of a nation lies in its youth and creative professionals who are creating the next wave of innovation. Entrepreneurs in the tech sector and beyond are creating disruptive futures. We take a look at Ethiopia’s startup stars and ace investors, with tips for incubators and accelerators.

Moderator: Country Director – Digital Opportunity Trust

President – Enderase Youth Association

Head, Innobiz K Ethiopia Incubation Center – Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MinT)

CEO and Founder – Ignite Investment

A leading industry expert shares insights on emerging threat vectors, causes and patterns of network disruption, resilience frameworks for organisations and nations, and the importance of international collaboration for responses. The role of public awareness campaigns and educational outreach will also be emphasised.

CEO – TESPOK

At the end of the day, it is the B2C or B2B customer that will drive revenues and growth for the ICT sector. This session addresses what constitutes an engaging customer experience, the metrics that need to be tracked to move the needle, and how to meet ever-rising customer expectations. Effective ways of ICT customer acquisition, conversion and retention will be assessed.

Digital Innovation Fellow – African Union Commission

ICT infrastructure has spurred the global growth of online communities and content. It has also paved the way for the rise of the Creator Economy, as traditional media sectors of news and entertainment are being transformed by a wave of youthful influencers. New opportunities are opening up for African creators in consumer and business sectors, within the continent and its diaspora. This session analyses the lucrative digital media prize in Africa, and what the leaders are doing to stay ahead.

Moderator: COO -Extensia Limited

Founder and CEO – Guzo Technologies

Architect and XR developer – Bema Technologies

CEO – Tobiya Game Studio

Speakers from across Africa share details on the current status of ICTs in their respective countries, approaches to accelerate national ICT networks, innovative spectrum policies, equitable digital tariffs, ecosystem partnerships, and emerging trends. The discussions converge on how regional collaboration can help accelerate ICT progress for individual nations as well.

Moderator: Digital Financial Literacy Coordinator – United Nations Capital Development Fund

Programme Officer – Digital Transformation – European Commission/European External Action Service

Youth Sector Chairman – Business Botswana

Digital Advisor – PM Office

Conference Programme Sponsor – Business Development Director, Mastercard

COO – Extensia

State Minister – Minister of Innovation and Technology

DG – ECA