GSMA MWC Africa 2022 Brings Together The Business Leaders And Policymakers Of The Mobile Ecosystem

GSMA MWC Africa will bring together a variety of industry sectors, business leaders and policymakers with the region’s mobile ecosystem over a packed three-day agenda for the first in-person edition of MWC Africa, 25 – 27 October 2022. MWC Africa is built for Kigali, Rwanda.

Together with founding partners Mastercard, MTN, Orange and ZTE, as well as supporting partners the Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI) and Smart Africa, MWC Africa will convene to discuss how technology and shared value have the power to drive economic growth for people and businesses across Africa.

Excitement is mounting as the GSMA shares the MWC Africa agenda that will explore the hottest technology themes, including Leadership for Connectivity, One People – One Purpose, Accelerate Africa and Fintech. MWC Africa 2022 will host more than 120 expert speakers and 60-plus hours of curated content.

The GSMA is delighted to share that Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, Ms Sanda Ojiambo will join Keynote 1, alongside Smart Africa’s CEO, Lacina Kone, and the ATU’s Secretary General, John Omo.

“MWC Africa is just around the corner, and we are looking forward to welcoming the mobile ecosystem, industry leaders and policymakers to Kigali, Rwanda. 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 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 both 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 and headline partner Safaricom and headline sponsors Evina and M-Pesa.

Taking to the stage attendees will hear from industry and thought leaders, such as:-

• CEO, Africa Nenda, Exploring the FinTech (R)Evolution, Dr. Robert Ochola
• CEO, EVINA, Scaling Innovation for a Digital Africa, David Lotfi
• Chief Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations Officer, Flutterwave, Bankole Falade Keynote 3, FinTech: What does the future hold?
• Strategic Advisor, Hormuud, Delivering a Digital Economy for All, Louise Cottar
• CEO, Rwanda, IHS Towers, Network Modernisation, Kunle Iluyemi
• Regional Director, Region Office for Africa, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 5G Summit, Anne-Rachel Inné
• CEO and Founder, Shared Value Africa Initiative and Shift Impact Africa, Empowering You, Tiekie Barnard
• SVP Digital Partnerships, EEMEA, Mastercard, Ngozi Megwa Keynote 3, FinTech: What does the future hold?
• Managing Director, M-Pesa Africa and Ag. Chief Financial Services Officer, Safaricom, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit “Keynote 3, FinTech: What does the future hold?; FinTech Summit, The Vision & Strategy of Fintech
• CEO, MTN Rwanda, Network Modernisation, Mapula Bodibe
• Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs officer, MTN, Delivering a Digital Economy for All, Nompilo Morafo
• Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, MTN Group, Chika Ekeji What Does Metaverse Mean for Africa?
• Chief Digital & Fintech OfficerSummit, MTN Group, Serigne Dioum The Vision & Strategy of Fintech
• Deputy CEO, Middle East & Africa, Orange, Brelotte BA Keynote 2, Leveraging Tech to Transform Africa, 5G Summit, Exploring the FinTech (R)Evolution
• Vice President, International Government Affairs, Qualcomm, Elizabeth Migwalla 5G Summit
• UNICEF Rwanda Country Office Representative, Juliana Lindsey “Delivering a Digital Economy for All”
• Chief Regulatory & External Affairs Officer, Vodacom Group, Steve Chege 5G Summit, Next in Tech
• Group CEO Vodacom Financial and Digital Service, Vodapay, Mariam Cassim “The Vision & Strategy of Fintech”
• Vice President, ZTE Corporation, Ye Xiaohan Keynote 2