6 tech talks to watch at East Africa Com: Day 1

11 May | 10:20am

To accelerate research and investment for the region’s most urgent priorities, we need strong tech ecosystems. This panel will look at access to affordable digital services, with a focus on progressive fiscal policy and sector-specific taxation. Explore how governments and regulators are fostering environments for entrepreneurs.

BEN ROBERTS (Liquid Intelligent Technologies) / CHARLEY LEWIS (ICASA) / MERCY WANJAU (Communications Authority of Kenya) / ROWENA TURINAWE (NITA-U) / STEVEN KIRENGA (Independent Consultant). See the speakers.

11 May | 11:05am

Kenya is home to a $1 billion start-up ecosystem. It's robust, attracting international investment and is one of the most established hubs for start-ups in Africa. Experts will expand on the successes and challenges of Kenya's success. Find out about the process of sourcing, securing funding and scaling early-stage businesses.

ESTHER MWIKALI (Growth Africa) / EMMANUEL MUGABI (NITA-U) / CHRIS GREEN (TechAfricaNews) / NEKESA WERE (AfriLabs). See the speakers.

11 May | 11:25am

Get an insider look into what the future East African telco looks like. This panel will explore network expansion and modernisation to facilitate the growing demand for mobile data. We'll look at what's needed to build infrastructure for incoming 5G networks. See what's required to scale digital services to keep pace with changing consumer trends and enhance connectivity. Are strategies for telecommunications evolving differently in East Africa compared to the rest of the continent? This is an un-missable panel for East African telcos looking to learn about developing a strategy that integrates new technology. 

PAUL MSAVA (Safaricom) / PAUL HJUL (Hjul Consulting) / CLAIRE PAPONNEAU (Mauritius Telecom) / FIONA ASONGA (TESPOK). See the speakers.

11 May | 13:35

Explore the huge potential of Ethiopia as a telecoms and technology market. This is a very unique country, so new entrants need to be informed on what it takes to grow there. This panel will also examine the current status of Ethio Telecom’s part-privatisation plan. Watch this panel to explore the current timeline for license granting and new business operations in the country.

SAMUEL GEBRE (Bloomberg News) / BROOK TAYE (Ministry of Finance, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia). See the speakers.

11 May | 14:00

Links between connectivity for digital economies and GDP per capita growth are significant, so what's needed to connect the dots? Despite East Africa being later to experience the impact of Covid-19, the region hasn't gone untouched. The pandemic has highlighted the internet connectivity challenges across the region and further heightened the digital divide. This session will explore the region’s infrastructure challenge in 2021 and unpack the internet challenge for remote, underserved areas. We'll examine the scope and status of the region’s biggest public and private last mile connectivity projects. Find out the various innovative strategies being used to remove the barrier of high internet service costs.

DION JERLING (Connect Earth) / JUMOKE JAGUN-DOKUNMU (IFC) / CAROLINE KAMAITHA (SES Networks) / DAVID EURIN (Liquid Intelligent Technologies) / ANDY HALSALL (Poa Internet) / DAVID ADHIAMBO (Safaricom). See the speakers.

11 May | 15:10

There are many large challenges surrounding disinformation across Africa. During this panel, senior leaders from across government, private sector, civil society, and media will discuss their ongoing efforts and collaborations in the counter-disinformation and propaganda space. Debunking fake news and myths is an issue that impacts all continents. It's a threat facing humanity across the globe and this is a panel for all attendees, no matter their geography. Bring your questions ready for what promises to be an extremely interesting session with the Global Engagement Centre.

STEVIE HAMILTON (GEC) / DANIEL KIMMAGE (GEC) / NEKESA WERE (AfriLabs) / SIMON NYAMBURA (IGAD Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism) / ANGELA ODOUR LUNGATI (Ushahidi). See the speakers.