By Irene Gaitirira
Published September 12, 2023
The first day of ITW Africa, a telecommunications event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore and address the challenges and opportunities in Africa’s telecommunications landscape, has begun.
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Held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, ITW Africa 2023 (September 12 – 14) has brought together more than 700 attendees and representatives from 28 African countries.
Speakers from various sectors, including telecommunications, government, technology, and connectivity, have delivered thought-provoking addresses, providing valuable insights and strategies to address Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities.
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Telkom Kenya CEO Mugo Kibati pulled up statistics showing current population and demographic trends indicating that Africa will be home to 40% of the global workforce by 2100.
“They won’t just be serving Africa,” Kibati said. “They will be serving the world from here in Africa”.
Christopher Kemei from the Communications Authority of Kenya shared the story of Kenya’s Universal Service Fund which, he said, has already connected 750 000 Kenyans and aims to provide connectivity to every Kenyan within the next 3-5 years. The commitment to supporting the blind and disabled through telemedicine and online learning initiatives was particularly noteworthy.
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As ITW Africa 2023 progresses, participants can anticipate even more engaging discussions, networking opportunities, and collaborative efforts aimed at driving innovation and expansion in Africa’s telecommunications sector. With a diverse range of topics on the agenda, from infrastructure development to regulatory policies, the event promises to lay the groundwork for a brighter digital future for Africa.