GSMA Mobile World Congress Returns To Rwanda This October

The GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) Kigali is set to return to the Kigali Convention Center from October 29-31, 2024.

As the largest and most influential connectivity event in Africa, MWC Kigali aims to unite an impressive array of innovators and political leaders from across the continent, all focused on advancing the digital economy and enhancing socio-economic growth.

This year’s event is designed to deliver a compelling lineup of keynotes and panel discussions, led by industry thought leaders and prominent enterprises. Attendees can expect engaging dialogues around four central themes: Connected Continent, The AI Future, FinTech advancements, and Africa’s Digital DNA.

Among the distinguished speakers confirmed for this year are Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa; Kate Kallot, Founder & CEO of Amini; Mats Granryd, GSMA’s Director General; and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, among other key figures.

For the first time in Africa, the GSMA Ministerial Programme will be hosted at MWC Kigali, marking a significant advance in the commitment to furthering the continent’s digital agenda. This program will gather influential telecommunications leaders across Africa to deliberate on critical policy and regulatory issues.

The Mobile for Development (M4D) initiative will again play a vital role at the event, facilitating innovation in digital technology aimed at mitigating global inequalities.

The M4D will host the ‘Mobile for Development Theatre’, a dedicated space for keynote sessions and panel discussions covering various themes, from AI for impact and humanitarian innovations to agriculture, climate, digital inclusion, and gender equality.

Additionally, returning this year is the Mobile Money Leadership Forum, which will examine key trends and innovative practices in mobile financial services.

The keynotes scheduled will address some of the most pressing digital connectivity challenges facing Africa today. Keynote 1 will delve into how digital technologies are instrumental in driving socio-economic development across the continent, addressing unique regional challenges.

Keynote 2 will spotlight AI’s transformative potential in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth. Keynote 3 will focus on Africa’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape and the technologies that influence investment opportunities.

Finally, Keynote 4 will explore how the changing content landscape enables African content creators to gain global recognition.

The event will also feature a variety of GSMA Summits aimed at industry leaders and policymakers, allowing them to explore topics affecting businesses, such as network security and diversity in tech initiatives:

• Security Summit: Tackling critical security challenges faced by mobile network operators within an ever-changing cyber risk context.
• Digital Summit: Evaluating the digital economy’s potential in Africa and how technology and policy reform can drive substantial socio-economic advancement.
• AI Summit: Discussing the vast opportunities and risks associated with AI technologies as they gain traction in the global marketplace.
• 5G Summit: Overcoming barriers to 5G adoption and exploring avenues to unlock its potential for enterprises and consumers alike.
• Diversity for Tech Summit: Highlighting the urgent need for improved disability inclusion in Africa’s tech ecosystem, ensuring equitable access and opportunities.

MWC Kigali will run concurrently with the Africa Health Tech Summit and the Future of Education and Work in Africa (FEWA), providing a thorough exploration of connectivity challenges and opportunities in both health and education sectors.

The event is backed by an esteemed lineup of sponsors, exhibitors, and partners, including Africa CDC, the African Union, Huawei, inABLE, MTN, the Republic of Rwanda, Smart Africa, and ZTE, firming up its position as a pivotal gathering for the digital future of Africa.