WELCOME & OPENING CEREMONY

WELCOME CEO, Extensia

Welcome remarks- DG,

Programme Sponsor

Keynote Opening National Objectives and Priorities – Minister

This session sets the stage for the summit by outlining the ambitious goals for ICT growth in Africa by 2025. It will explore the critical role of policy and regulation in driving this growth and emphasise the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. The discussion will provide insights into the strategic plans and initiatives that can propel Africa’s ICT sector forward, ensuring it meets the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Government policies and initiatives are pivotal in enhancing national and cross-border connectivity. This session will highlight successful government efforts in East and Southern Africa, showcasing how innovative policies and regulatory frameworks can drive connectivity. Attendees will gain an understanding of the role of government in creating an enabling environment for ICT growth and the impact of these initiatives on accelerating digital transformation.

The rapid rollout of network infrastructure requires strategic partnerships with Towercos, Infracos, VNOs, and data centers. This session will delve into the benefits and challenges of such partnerships, exploring how collaboration can overcome barriers to connectivity expansion. Participants will learn about successful partnership models and the critical factors that contribute to their effectiveness in driving ICT growth.

Data centers are the backbone of digital transformation, providing the necessary infrastructure to support digital economies. This session will discuss the role of data centers in accelerating digital transformation, addressing challenges such as security, data sovereignty, and network reliance. Attendees will gain insights into how data centers can enhance ICT infrastructure and support the growth of digital services across Africa.

This session will feature presentations from leading technology providers, showcasing the latest innovations in mobile technologies, satellite communications, and network infrastructure. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge solutions that can drive connectivity and digital transformation. The session will highlight the importance of innovation in overcoming connectivity challenges and meeting the growing demand for digital services.

As the demand for high-speed internet continues to grow, next-generation broadband networks are essential. This session will explore new connectivity options such as 5G, Fibre, Edge DCs, Open RAN, and Virtual RAN. Participants will learn about the potential of these technologies to meet the increasing demand for data and bandwidth, and how they can be integrated into existing infrastructure to enhance connectivity.

Network availability is often disrupted by theft, vandalism, cyber-attacks, and natural disasters. This session will bring together industry leaders to share best practices and insights on network and infrastructure security. Participants will learn about strategies to enhance digital resilience, ensuring that networks remain robust and reliable in the face of various threats.

Satellite technology plays a crucial role in expanding connectivity to remote and underserved communities. This session will explore the latest advancements in satellite technology and their impact on bridging the digital divide. Attendees will learn about innovative solutions that can provide reliable connectivity in challenging environments, supporting the goal of universal access to digital services.

Affordability and accessibility of digital devices and services are major barriers to connectivity in Africa. This session will address these challenges, discussing strategies to make digital access more affordable for consumers and businesses. Participants will gain insights into initiatives that can reduce the cost of devices and connectivity services, making digital inclusion a reality for all.

Digital technologies are transforming various sectors in Sub Saharan Africa, driving economic growth and development. This session will explore the impact of digital transformation on sectors such as education, healthcare, fintech, and banking. Attendees will learn about successful case studies and the economic benefits of digital technologies, highlighting the importance of connectivity in supporting these transformations.

Connecting rural communities is essential for inclusive growth and development. This session will examine innovative business models and technologies that enable economic viability and empowerment in rural areas. Participants will learn about approaches that go beyond basic access, focusing on livelihood generation and broader business outcomes. The session will highlight the role and impact of connectivity in driving social and economic development in rural communities.

This informal session will explore the latest innovations in ICT. Attendees will gain insights into emerging trends and technologies that are shaping the future of connectivity. Fireside chat will provide a platform for thought-provoking discussions on the opportunities and challenges in the ICT sector.

Africa’s diverse geography and markets require a blend of connectivity solutions such as Fiber, Satellite, Mobile, and Wireless. This session will present case studies on how different connectivity solutions are being used to meet local needs and drive social and economic impacts. Participants will learn about the importance of a diverse network portfolio in achieving optimal financial and social outcomes.

The use of AI and ML in cloud infrastructure can dynamically improve service levels, efficiency, and data sovereignty. This session will discuss the benefits of smart infrastructure, exploring how AI and ML can provide predictive insights about traffic patterns, load shifts, and customer behaviour. Attendees will gain an understanding of how smart infrastructure can support the growth of digital services and improve overall network performance.

Panelists assess the growth of connectivity infrastructure in Tanzania over the years, economic transformation, productivity gains, and impact metric frameworks. They will also throw light on emerging trends in this space and future roadmaps. The insights will benefit other African countries as well, on benchmarking their own national journeys.

This panel dives into the crucial role of capacity building and talent retention in the ICT sector. Speakers will address strategies for inclusion and empowerment, and how academia, industry and government need to boost the talent quotient in a hyper-connected AI-powered world.

Progressive governments play a crucial role in accelerating national ICT networks through policies like equitable spectrum allocation and digital tariffs. This session will feature a discussion on how governments can create an enabling environment for ICT growth. Attendees will gain insights into successful national digital strategies and the role of regulators in facilitating partnerships between governments and private sector players.