25 - 26 April 2023|Radisson Blu Upper Hill Hotel, Nairobi
Unlock Telco 2.0
A 360 view – the only event in East Africa that connects the entire value chain across tech, telecoms, media and broadcasting.
About East Africa Com
East African telecoms have been navigating a seismic shift for many years. More than a decade ago the market began to change around the region’s telcos, driven by changing consumer behaviour and demands, they were confronted with a simple choice: adapt or be left behind. Much of the strategy implemented across the industry today is aimed at diversifying the telco offering to maintain revenue streams and profit.
The Covid-19 pandemic has further illustrated the critical importance of the continent’s telcos and proved a catalyst for closer partnership with government, regulators and, promisingly, enterprise. A question remains around whether this progress and collaboration will continue. The pandemic has also helped highlight some of the enduring challenges hindering the industry – connectivity infrastructure, inefficiencies in the spectrum licencing process, and the skills gap. We’ll explore these themes and more, alongside emerging business models and the new technologies shaping African telecommunications.
HOT TOPICS FOR 2022
Telco 2.0: The Evolution of the East African Telco
The Affordability Gap: Strategies for Smartphone and Data Provision
Connecting the Dots: Routes to Last Mile Connectivity
Interoperability: The Next Frontier of African Mobile Money
The Real Value of a 4IR in an East African Context
Progressive Governance and Regulation to Drive East Africa's 4IR
Sessions you can't afford to miss...
Fireside chat: East to West – The Potential of The Democratic Republic of Congo’s New Fibre Backbone
- Tracking: Exploring the current status, important timelines, recent achievements, goals and longer-term challenges for the planned 4,000km network
- Market: Exploring the DRC’s In-situ market conditions - one of Africa’s most under-equipped nations - with regards to network infrastructure, and what transformation fibre could bring
- Regional impact: Impact and applicability for the East African region more widely, and those countries already connected - Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda
Panel: The Year of the Telco: Future Goals for East African Telecoms
- Innovation: Product and service innovation are cornerstones of African telco evolution. OpenRAN and 5G are emerging disruptors but what other developments will drive progress through 2022?
- Connectivity: The telco role as core connectivity provider continues to grow, with infrastructure and subsea cable investment, alongside handset and data affordability schemes. How can LEO and other novel routes help SPs reduce regional ‘not-spots’?
- Collaboration: Leveraging critical government relations and partnerships forged through the pandemic to reduce bureaucracy and tackle coverage and usage gaps
Keynote Panel: Exploring East Africa's 2022 Connectivity Map
- Subsea cables: Subsea cable projects bringing East African broadband up to speed, and how they are improving links to the rest of the African continent
- Covid-19: The continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the 'working from home' revolution on accelerating demand for regional interned connectivity
- Affordability: Telco-led affordability schemes and the key role played by fintech in facilitating payments and microloans
Panel: Inclusion Matters: Achieving Gender Equality Across East Africa's Tech Ecosystems
- Education: Pioneering organisations that facilitate education and skills training to empower women and girls, bridging the gap to employment
- Leading the way: Casting a spotlight on women'-led tech start-ups disrupting the industry and promoting women's safety
- Digital inclusion: Tech innovations that create a more level playing field when it comes to access, particularly in industries such as agriculture, and how this will benefit all
Meet our 2021 speakers
2022 speakers to be announced soon! Want to be on the agenda? Contact James.Williams@informa.com
Connect With Senior Operators
East Africa Com Awards
Celebrate the innovations, people and businesses accelerating East Africa's digital economy and secure relationships with those companies driving connectivity.
AHUB East
Unleashing the power of the region's start-up ecosystem with dedicated content and networking space to connect start-ups, investors, MNOs and corporates.
Virtual Expo
Explore our virtual interactive expo and meet with solution providers as they showcase and demonstrate their latest products. Arrange video calls or 1-2-1 chats and secure your next meaningful partnership.
Connected Leaders and LeadersIn Africa
Join exclusive programmes throughout the event, including the Connected Leaders Programme which curates qualified meetings between those actively engaged in buying IT products and services, and those providing the solution, and the LeadersIn Africa Boardroom sessions tackling challenging and controversial issues in an informal and intimate setting.
Speakers Q&As
Get up close and personal with our expert technology speakers in live Q&A sessions followed after each conference sessions. Get your business critical questions answered and help facilitate the conversation even further.
AI Matchmaking
It's never been easier to find the right people to help you and your business grow with our AI matchmaking functionality. Simply tell us who you want to meet, and our algorithm finds the people and companies most suitable to you.
Who will you meet from the telco industry?
Download the 2021 sample attendee list to learn more about the companies and individuals you can expect to network with. Don't forget, you can reach out to them before, during and after the event ensuring maximum interaction with key decision makers in your industry.
