GSMA Opens Doors to MWC Africa 2021 - A Virtual Event Powered Out of Kigali

This year's online event will bring together decision-makers from across Africa's vibrant mobile ecosystem to explore how technology and connectivity can lead the global recovery

28 September 2021, London: GSMA is today celebrating the launch of MWC Africa 2021, a virtual event powered out of Kigali. Together with founding partners Mastercard, MTN, Orange and, ZTE, the organisation will convene Africa's mobile leaders at the continent's most connected and influential technology event.

The theme for MWC Africa 2021 is Powering a Continent. The next three days will see GSMA and industry leaders explore the potential impact of 5G and showcase how the mobile ecosystem is sparking conversation and imagination powering a better future.

Over 100 keynote and conference speakers will inspire and provoke. Speakers include;

Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Government of Rwanda

Lacina Kon Director-General, Smart Africa.

John Omo, Secretary General, African Telecommunications Union

St phane Richard, Chairman and, CEO, ORANGE Chairman of the Board, GSMA

Alioune Ndiaye, Chief Executive Officer, Orange Middle East and Africa

Shameel Joosub, CEO, Vodacom Group

Yolanda Cuba, Group VP Southern and East Africa Region, MTN Group

Michael Foley, Regional Director Francophone Region, Airtel Africa PLC

Amnah Ajmanl, EVP, Market Development, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard

Daddy Mukadi, Chief Regulatory Officer Africa, Airtel Africa PLC

Matthew Harrison Harvey, Chief External Affairs and Regulatory Officer, Safaricom Ethiopia

Steve Chege, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Safaricom PLC

James Zhang, SVP, President of MTO BG & Global Marketing, ZTE

Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Managing Director, GIZ

Andrew Rugege, Regional Director for Africa, ITU

Magdalena Banasiak, Senior Innovation Adviser, UK, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA

Angela Wamola, Ag Head Sub Saharan Africa, GSMA

Max Cuvellier, Head of M4D, GSMA

Analysing mobile trends and usage

Eagerly anticipated industry reports are launching this week at MWC Africa. These include the State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2021, the Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa and the Roadmaps for 5G Spectrum: Sub-Saharan Africa. The reports consider the latest data, forecasts, and trends for the region and include a range of policy recommendations that highlight considerations governments and regulators need to explore in the planning for 5G. These reports ultimately aim to ensure that mobile internet makes the best possible contribution to the regional economy, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the ever pressing usage gap.

Mobile connectivity is a vital enabler of economic and social development across Africa, particularly in developing countries. Delivering on mobile's true potential relies on public and private stakeholders coming together to reduce barriers to digital inclusion. This includes ensuring consumer affordability and creating a favourable legislative environment that encourages operators to continue further investment programmes that accelerate our digital economy, said Angela Wamola, Ag Head Sub Saharan Africa, GSMA. We are collaborating with governments in countries across Africa to develop legislation that boosts connectivity, economic growth, investment, and fiscal stability - ultimately creating Connected Impact for citizens across the continent.

We hope to see you there and invite you can find out more about MWC Africa here.

-ENDS-

About GSMA

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.

We invite you to find out more at gsma.com.

Media Contacts

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com

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