GSMA to Host MWC Africa in Kigali During 2021

News announced during GSMA Thrive Africa virtual conference

Nearly half a billion people subscribe to mobile services in Sub-Saharan Africa

29 September 2020, London: GSMA has announced it will host MWC Africa in Kigali, Rwanda in 2021, bringing the leading global event series to the continent for the first time. GSMA Director General, Mats Granryd, announced the news during his opening keynote address at Thrive Africa, the GSMA's virtual event platform, which runs from the 29 September to 1 October 2020.

MWC21 Africa will bring together the leading names from business and technology to become the continent's most connected and influential event. This premier event is part of the GSMA's flagship series of MWC events, which includes editions in Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles.

I am proud of what we have built with Thrive and the previous Mobile 360 events, which have helped shape the continent's connected digital future, said Granryd. From 2021 we will celebrate MWC Africa, joining our world-leading platform for thought-leadership and technology, recognising the important role Africa will play in our connected future.

Around the world, access to mobile internet is helping close the digital divide. Its transformative power is nowhere more obvious than in Africa. That is why I'm excited about welcoming the world to Kigali next year to shine a light on African mobile and tech innovation.

This year, Thrive Africa will examine the role of connectivity in powering a better future, and how this can accelerate to achieve the best outcomes in terms of health provision, economic benefits and inclusion. Conceived by the GSMA, Orange, MTN, ZTE and Mastercard, Thrive Africa will bring Africa's leaders together for a virtual event to create the continent's most connected and influential technology experience. The event is also sponsored by Huawei, Intelsat, MFS Africa and, Safaricom.

During the event, speakers will also discuss Africa's readiness for the 4th Industrial Revolution: in the next five years, the continent will host 1.3 billion devices and IoT connections, but increased connectivity will be essential to maximise the available benefits.

Africa's Mobile Economy

The GSMA has also published its annual Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report to coincide with Thrive Africa. This in-depth study explores the latest data, forecasts and trends for the region. It includes a range of policy recommendations that will help ensure that mobile internet makes the best possible contribution to the regional economy, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the fastest-growing region, with 477 million mobile subscribers at the end of 2019, with an additional 137 million subscribers over the period to 2025, representing a CAGR of 4.3%. Notably, 272 million are now mobile internet users, representing 26% of the population. In 2019, mobile technologies and services generated 9% of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa, a contribution of more than $155 billion.

This year, GSMA Thrive Africa will host the first-ever regional Policy Leaders Forum, following the format of the Ministerial Programme at MWC Barcelona, but with a dedicated African focus. It brings together key stakeholders from ministries, regulatory bodies and the broader mobile ecosystem to exchange views, and consider how all mobile players in Africa are adapting to a new era of intelligent connectivity.

The findings from our Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report clearly show the importance and value of digital connectivity, said Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Africa, GSMA. Realising the full potential of a progressive digital future requires an informed policy debate of the sort that GSMA Thrive Africa will deliver. I look forward to welcoming everyone in person to the inaugural MWC21 Africa, an event which represents the continent's next step towards closing the digital divide.

To find out more about GSMA Thrive Africa, and to participate in the event, visit its dedicated website. Download the Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report here.

ENDS

About GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Thrive Series of regional conferences.

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