Connected Africa
Summit 2024
Shaping The Future of a Connected Africa:
Unlocking Growth Beyond Connectivity
21st - 25th April 2024
Uhuru Gardens,
Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
The Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy, alongside the Kenya ICT Authority, orchestrates the grand confluence of Africa's technology and innovation at the Connected Africa Summit 2024. It is a transformative initiative poised to shape the digital destiny of Africa.
Rationale of the summit
Shaping The Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking growth beyond connectivity
The Connected Africa Summit 2024 is poised to transcend the conventional boundaries of growth. This summit serves as a strategic forum to chart a course towards a digitally empowered and interconnected future for Africa, setting the stage for unprecedented growth and prosperity as well as:
Driving investment to the digital economy in Africa
Foster collaboration
Accelerate the digital transformation journey for African nations
The Summit
Heads of State
chief guest
H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H
President and Commander-in-Chief
Republic of Kenya
His Excellency Dr William Samoei Ruto was sworn in on September 13, 2022, after winning the Presidential election.
He was elected on August 9, 2022 on a United Democratic Party (UDA) ticket, a principal party, in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Before ascending to be President, Dr Ruto served as the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya from April 3, 2013 to September 12, 2022.
The Summit
Ambassadors & Ministers
speaker
Hon. Musalia Mudavadi
Prime Cabinet Secretary
Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Kenya, Republic of Kenya
Hon. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi is a Kenyan politician and land economist who is currently serving as the Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya.
He served as the 7th Vice-President of Kenya in 2002 and Deputy Prime Minister (2008–2012).
During his MP of Sabatia, Hon Musalia Mudavadi established Sabatia Community Development Fund (SACODEF), a KES 27 million capitalized revolving micro-enterprise credit scheme (1996) for youth groups, women groups and educational scholarships; a Micro Credit Scheme precursor to CDF.
speaker
Eliud Owalo, FIHRM, EGH
Cabinet Secretary
Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy
Eliud O. Owalo is the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy in Kenya.
He worked as an Economist, Management Consultant and Strategy Expert between 2001 – 2022. Until his appointment as CS, Mr. Owalo was a practicing Managing Consultant at Eliud & Associates (E&A) Management Consultants, an International Management Consultancy and Training firm. He holds a BA Degree in Economics and Business Studies from Kenyatta University, an MBA Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Nairobi and is currently a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate in Strategic Management at the University of Nairobi.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Human Resource Management (FIHRM); Member of the Professional Trainers’ Association of Kenya (PTAK); and a former Director/Council Member of the Kenya School of Government (KSG).
His lead consultancy assignments in both the Public and Private Sectors have focused mainly on Macro and Micro-Economics; Strategic Planning; Business Planning; Organizational Re-structuring; Job Evaluation and Pay Structure Architecture; Performance Management; Management of Strategic Change; Training Needs Assessment (T.N.A.); Organizational Design/Development; Executive Search, Selection and Placement (Recruitment); Human Resource Audit; Market Research/Surveys; and Feasibility Studies.
speaker
H.E. Moussa Faki
Mahamat
Mahamat
Chairperson
African Union Commission (AUC)
H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, born on 21 June 1960, the Chadian Minister of Foreign Affair was elected as the new African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson. H.E. Mahamat speaks French, Arabic and English fluently and had occupied very senior positions with a thirty-year (30) experience. This lawyer was a Minister several times; he served as the director of Civil Cabinet of the President of the Republic, Prime Minister, Head of Government, and President of a Grand Institution of the Republic, namely; the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, where he had to carry out and manage major issues.
speaker
Dr. Akinwumi A.
Adesina
Adesina
President
African Development Bank Group
Formerly the Nigerian Agriculture Minister, Dr Adesina was first elected President of the African Development Bank Group on 28 May 2015. He was unanimously re-elected for a second five-year term on 27 August 2020
Dr Adesina holds a master’s degree (1985) and a PhD in Agricultural Economics (1988) from Purdue University, United States of America, where he won the Outstanding Ph.D. thesis award for that year. Dr Adesina won the prestigious Rockefeller Foundation Social Science Fellowship in 1988, which launched him into his international career.
speaker
Ajay Banga
President
World Bank Group
Ajay Banga most recently served as Vice Chairman at General Atlantic. Previously, he was President and CEO of Mastercard, a global organization with nearly 24,000 employees. Under his leadership, MasterCard launched the Center for Inclusive Growth, which advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. He was Honorary Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce, serving as Chairman from 2020-2022.
speaker
Ambassador Margaret “Meg” Whitman
Ambassador to Kenya
United States of America
Ambassador Whitman has significant experience leading business organizations, from start-ups to large multinational companies in Silicon Valley. She has served as the President and CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the Hewlett-Packard Company, both multinational information technology companies. She also served as President and CEO of eBay Inc, an online marketplace and digital payments company.
Ms. Whitman has also been a member of a number of corporate boards of directors, including Procter & Gamble and General Motors.
speaker
Hon. Felix Mutati
Minister, Zambia
Ministry of Technology and Science
speaker
Hon. Salima Monorma Bah
Minister, Sierra Leone
Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation
speaker
Hon. Léocadie Ndacayisaba
Minister, Burundi
Ministry of Communication, Information Technologies and Media
speaker
Hon. Emma Theofelus
Minister, Namibia
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
speaker
Hon. Mudane Jaamac Xasan Khaliif
Minister, Somalia
Ministry of Communications and Technology
speaker
Hon. Anne Waiguru EGH, OGW
Chair, Council of Governors and Governor
Council of Governors and Kirinyaga County
The Summit
Speakers
speaker
Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, MBS
Principal Secretary
State Department of ICT and Digital Economy
Eng. John Tanui, MBS is the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in charge of the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy. Prior to joining the Ministry, Eng. Tanui was the Chief Executive Officer of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) for over 7 years, Deputy Country CEO and Vice President of Huawei Technologies responsible for Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Djibouti and the Director of Technical Service Department in the same organization that he served for over of 15 years.
With over 17 years in the ICT industry and international business management, Eng. Tanui has worked in several countries in Africa and also in China acquiring knowledge and experience in Business and project management, he has keen interest and expertise in Engineering Turnkey Projects, Innovations, setup and management of industry collaborations and partnerships. He is passionate about how technology can be utilized to solve challenges facing economies.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Technology in Electrical and Communication Engineering from Moi University and MBA in International Business from the University of Nairobi where he is currently pursuing PhD in global business management. He is a member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (MIEK), a registered engineer and a member of the Academy of International Business.
Eng. Tanui is an active ICT professional who was profiled as tenth in the 2012 Top 40 under 40 by the Business Daily (Nation Media Group). He is a Council Member of Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, a council member of IEK (Institution of Engineers of Kenya) where he chairs industrialization, Environment and quality assurance committee and also serves as committee member for Advocacy, Journal and Publicity. Previously, he served as the University Council Vice Chairman at Technical University of Kenya and also as an Advisory Council Member of the Presidential Digital Talent Program.
speaker
Veronica Mueni Nduva, CBS
Principal Secretary
State Department for Performance and Delivery Management
Ms. Veronica Nduva is the Principal Secretary State Department for Performance & Delivery Management- Ministry of Public Service, Performance & Delivery Management following the reorganization and reconstitution of Ministries/Departments by His Excellency the President. She was formerly the Principal Secretary State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action.
Ms Nduva is an accomplished governance expert and public sector professional with over two decades of career experience across a broad array of sectors including the Kenya Government, East African Community, Kenyan Civil Society and the United States Government.
She has written a number of publications on matters gender, current affairs and global issues highlighting her knowledge on global topical issues and a clear understanding of the public sector and operations, as well as inter-agency collaborations.
Ms. Nduva has also received a number of awards and recognition for exemplary work in Governance from both local and international institutions. Away from the office Mentorship, Governance training and being outdoors are her major interests.
Ms. Nduva holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Nairobi.
speaker
Mrs. Teresia Mbaika, CBS
Principal Secretary
State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action
Mrs.Teresia Mbaika, CBS is the Principal Secretary State Department for Devolution, Office of the Deputy President.
PS Mbaika holds a Master of Science Degree in Health Economics and Policy from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health from Kenyatta University. She has attended various trainings and conferences spanning the Energy Sector, Leadership and Corporate Governance fields among others.
She joined the State Department with over 10 years’ experience in Corporate Governance, Resource Mobilization, Strategic Management, Leadership and Public Finance Management. Prior to this appointment, PS Mbaika served a six (6) year term as a Board Member at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) where she served in various capacities as the Chairperson, Technical Committee; Chairperson, Audit Committee; Chairperson,Human Resource Committee and Member of the Publicity & Advocacy Committee.
The PS also served as a Board Member of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) for a three (3) year term where She held various undertakings as the Chair of the Technical, Finance and Administration Committees and as a Member of the Audit Committee.
PS Mbaika has also served as the Secretary to the National Government Constituency Development Fund Board (NG-CDF), Kaiti Constituency from 2013-2017, where She oversaw the financial management and corporate governance of the Fund.
She launched her career in community service where she served as a Woman Leader pioneering various community projects as well as coaching and mentoring the youth. Youth mentor-ship and coaching is a passion that is very close to her heart and she is still actively involved in, as the Patron Kaiti University Students’ Association, Trustee, Kaiti Constituency Development Forum and Trustee, Kaiti Greening Champions.
speaker
Sylvanus Maritim
Chairman Board
ICT Authority
Hon. Sylvanus Maritim is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ICT Authority effective 24th February 2023. Hon. Maritim, a Telecommunications Engineer with vast knowledge, experience and expertise in the ICT Industry, particularly the Telecommunications sector where he has implemented Strategic ICT projects in several African countries that include Kenya & Djibouti. He served as Member of the National Assembly for Ainamoi Constituency, Kericho County, in the 12th Parliament for the period 2017 -2022. While in Parliament, Hon. Maritim served as a Member of the Departmental Committees on ICT & Sports as well as Culture & Tourism. He was instrumental in ensuring relevant legislations and policies were passed to strengthen the leveraging emerging technology trends to build the capacity of the Kenyan Youth in ICT, Arts & Culture.
Hon. Maritim is now steering the ICT Authority as the Chairman of the Board of Directors that provides oversight. The Authority is the Strategic Government of Kenya that has been mandated to implement priority ICT projects, under the Government of Kenya Digital Transformation Agenda ,such as Digital Superhighway that is enabling connectivity efficient provision of government services to the citizens of Kenya. He believes in building high performance teams in every organization that he leads and leveraging technology to transform the lives of all Kenyans, using ICT.
Hon. Maritim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications and Information Technology from Kenyatta University.He also has extensive international certifications in ICT.
speaker
Stanley Kamanguya, OGW
Chief Executive Officer
The ICT Authority
speaker
Mr. Lacina Kone
Director General and Chief Executive Officer
Smart Africa
Mr. Lacina Kone, is the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa having joined the organization in March 2019.
He oversees the process of defining and advancing Africa’s digital agenda and has overseen the development of continental blueprints for Africa on Digital Identity, ICT Start-ups and Innovation Ecosystems, Smart Villages and the definition of Africa’s Smart Broadband 2025 Strategy in addition to advancing additional key continental initiatives. In recognition for this work, Mr. Koné has been recognized in 2021 as 12th among the 50 personalities advancing Africa’s digital transformation.
Prior to that, Mr. Koné was the advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (2017-2018), in charge of Digital Transformation and Public Reforms, and was also the advisor to the President from 2011-2017. Mr. Kone is a professional of ICT industry with over 25 years experience in the telecommunications, satellite and intelligent transport system. Prior to that, Mr. Kon held during his career several high level technical and managerial positions with prestigious firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton and Intelsat.
speaker
Conrad Steyn
Country Digital Acceleration Leader
Cisco
I am the current Country Digital Acceleration leader for Sub-Saharan Africa and previously fulfilled the role of Chief Technology Officer for Cisco Sub-Saharan Africa where I lead the systems engineering team as well as the Country Digitization and Acceleration program for Cisco South Africa.
I joined Cisco in 2006 holding several roles in the business. I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table and is an ICT veteran with proven expertise in the industry for 30 years.
Mycareer at Cisco has taken me from a purely technical role, to one where Ihave been responsible for people, process and technology. My current focus is on Digital Transformation, Remote Hybrid Work, Cloud, Cybersecurity and bridging the digital divide through skills development with Cisco’s EDGE Incubation program.
I am a strategic thinker, thought leader, spokesperson and subject matter expert for Cisco’s technology portfolio and excels at strategic execution.
“My journey at Cisco has been nothing short of incredible. Over the years I have seen the business grown from strength to strength globally and across Sub-Saharan Africa. I'm excited about solving complex issues that will help the business deliver on our coremission with transformative technology. I believe there is greater opportunity for exponential growth in this region says”, Steyn.
Prior to Cisco Iheld the position of collaboration specialist at Dimension Data where he started his career in 1993. My academic achievements includes a Diploma in Business Management Development which I attained from GIBBS. Outside of the office I enjoymotor racing, golf and cycling.
speaker
Grace W Mbugua
Executive Head, Product Management
KCB Bank Group
Grace is a seasoned financial services professional delivering solutions and strategic direction to corporate treasuries in multiple geographies in Kenya and East Africa, with a career spanning over 18 years.
Her areas of expertise include Cash Management & Liquidity Management, Trade Finance, Management of Cross-border transactions, Risk Management, Relationship Management, Strategy Formulation, Platform Business, Ecosystem Solution and Digital Finance. She has significant market knowledge, having led and worked with teams in various continents to deliver optimal solutions to client problems.
She led the formulation and development of Stanbic’s Women proposition and led ‘Platform Thinking’ to implement the first platform business in the organization. Grace is currently the Executive Head, Product Management at KCB Bank Group
speaker
Shain Rahim
Country Leader
Cisco
Shain Rahim is the Country leader for Cisco Kenya since 2022. As the Country leader, Rahim is responsible for managing Cisco's operations and driving business growth in Kenya. Further to this role, she is also responsible for Regional Sales in East Africa.
Rahim has over 25 years of experience in the technology industry and joined Cisco over 20 years ago. She has held various leadership positions in Cisco, including serving as the Channel Lead for the East Africa region as well as Leading Sales and Channel for the greater Sub-Saharan Africa Region.
Rahim is known for her expertise in the areas of technology and business strategy, leadership, and team building. She is passionate about driving digital transformation in Kenya and helping organizations leverage technology to drive innovation, growth, and productivity.
Under Rahim's leadership, Cisco Kenya has been focused on helping organizations in Kenya navigate the challenges of digital transformation and leverage technology to improve their operations. The company has also been working closely with the Kenyan government to support its digital transformation agenda and expand its presence in the country.
Passionate about Community Service, Shain is an advocate for a variety of causes close to her heart, particularly care for the elderly and mentorship for young families quality of life.
speaker
Kelvin Mugambi
Cybersecurity Technical Solutions Architect
Cisco
Kelvin Mugambi is a dynamic and results-oriented cybersecurity professional renowned for his innovative approach to protecting digital assets and mitigating cyber threats. A CCIE holder in Security and Enterprise infrastructure among other certifications, Kelvin embarked on his journey into cybersecurity with a passion for securing systems and networks against evolving threats.
Throughout his career, Kelvin has amassed extensive experience in various cybersecurity domains, including network security, cloud security, and threat intelligence. His unique blend of technical expertise and strategic vision has made him a trusted advisor to organizations seeking to fortify their defenses in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Kelvin's career highlights include spearheading the design and implementation of cutting-edge security architectures for multinational corporations and government agencies. His ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable strategies has been instrumental in driving organizational resilience and achieving compliance with regulatory standards.
As a thought leader in the cybersecurity community, Kelvin is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars, where he shares his insights on emerging threats and best practices in cybersecurity.
speaker
Timothy Ichamwenge
Regional Lead
Cisco
Timothy Ichamwenge is a distinguished specialist in network visibility and assurance, driven by a passion for enhancing user experiences within large corporations. With expertise as a cloud solutions architect, he excels in architecting robust frameworks to provide real-time insights into network performance.
His innovative approach to network management, coupled with a commitment to excellence, has positioned him as a thought leader in the field. By leveraging advanced technologies and predictive analytics, Timothy empowers organizations to proactively identify and address network bottlenecks and security threats, ensuring seamless connectivity and peak operational efficiency
With a vision for shaping the future of networking technologies, he continues to drive meaningful change, revolutionizing the way organizations perceive and manage their networks.
speaker
Hani Khalaf
Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Data & AI Solutions
DELL Technologies , CEEMETA Region
Hani Khalaf is the CTO for Data and AI Solutions at Dell Technologies, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East Turkey and Africa (CEEMETA) region. He believes in Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge being key disruptive technologies in driving the digital transformation of businesses and is very passionate about helping organizations leverage data in their digitization journey. He has over 27 years of experience in the field of telecommunications, networking, public safety, Internet of Things and smart cities solutions.
speaker
Rohan Patil
Enterprise Director, East Africa
VERTIV
Rohan Patil based in the Nairobi, Kenya and is responsible for managing and growing the East Africa region in line with company’s global vision of Keep It Humming and delivery through exceptional Customer experience service with the Vertiv team and esteemed distributors and partners across all East African countries.
Rohan has worked in Vertiv for 14 years with expertise in sales, business development, product management across Asia and Africa markets across various sectors from telecom, data centers to renewable power generation and industrial automation.
speaker
Bernard Wanjau
Datacenter Compute Technology Specialist and Business Unit Leader
Dell Technologies, Southern East Africa Region
Bernard Wanjau is responsible for providing specialist consulting on Dell's Datacenter and Enterprise technologies in the Eastern Africa region. As the Server and Networking business unit leader, he coordinates and collaborates with 25 team members in this region who are committed to advancing the company’s business objectives under frontline sales, presales, inside-technical analysts, and inside-sales to meet his business unit goals.
Bernard’s business priorities are centered around three key pillars that include: growth through market penetration to capture the highest client share among rival businesses, profitability through an awareness of changing investor expectations caused by changes in the market and using technology to further human progress and have a greater impact on some of the most pressing societal concerns.
As one of the most experienced technology leaders in the region, Bernard also works closely with senior business leaders globally to unlock every possible potential to meet clients’ technology objectives .
With more than 20 years of experience providing IT support and services to businesses, Bernard’s top priority is in strong technical expertise, but he also possesses commercial acumen to link CxOs and technological accomplishments.
In his tech career, Bernard has worked with diverse industries in applying IT transformation, including banking, healthcare, Agri, and energy utility technology. As his experience grew over time, he was able to provide senior-level technical business consulting advice to both internal and external clients.
A Kenyan by origin, Bernard holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Computer Science from the University of Alberta, Edmonton Canada, as well as various vendor specific and methodology certifications.
speaker
Nikki Germany
Chief Executive Officer
Moringa School
Nikki is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Moringa School - a learning accelerator committed to closing the skills gap in Africa by delivering transformative tech-based learning experiences. Moringa has trained over 8000 students and offers bootcamps in areas such as Software Development and Data Science and a myriad of short courses and corporate offerings that cover topics such as Cybersecurity, Product Design, Data Analytics and AI.
Prior to Moringa, Nikki served in various executive roles in tech-enabled organizations in Kenya, Canada, the US, Australia and Chile. Most recently she spent 8 years as Chief Growth Officer at Copia - a Kenyan based mobile commerce company providing access to quality goods and services to low and middle income consumers in Africa. She started her Kenyan career in the Education sector at Bridge International Academies and has also worked for Google, Expedia, Intrawest and BHP Billiton. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wollongong and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
speaker
Denise Wambui
Graduate Support and Alumni Engagement Lead
Moringa School
Denise is currently the Graduate Support & Alumni Engagement Lead at Moringa School - a learning accelerator committed to closing the skills gap in Africa by delivering transformative tech-based learning experiences.
Lead with a passion for learning and development, youth empowerment and employability, she has a background in recruitment, career coaching, content creations and innovation. At Edge Recruitment firm, while doing recruitment, she started a career coaching program to assist university graduates to better plan and prepare for their careers. During her time in Kytabu, she worked to create digital visual educational 8.4.4. content for primary and secondary students to increase content accessibility especially during covid. At Moringa School, Denise has been a big advocate for using technology to streamlined graduate support, scale placements and support career pathing to better prepare students for the job market. Her contributions have seen the integration of tech-based assessment tools into the classroom operations.
speaker
Arune Matelyte
Innovation expert and ex-Cofounder of GovTech Lab Lithuania
GovTech Lab Lithuania
Arune Matelyte is an expert in public sector innovation, digitalization and government-startup collaboration. In 2019, Arune has co-founded the GovTech Lab, a team in Lithuania’s public sector that helps governmental institutions work together with innovative startups and companies in solving the most pressing social and public sector challenges.
Arune has led the team for 5+ years and with the help of an enthusiastic team has placed GovTech on the strategic national agenda for Lithuania. Prior to that, Arune has worked on analytical and consulting projects in Lithuania, United Kingdom and Spain, such as creating a methodology to measure digital economy, consulting wealth and asset management companies about their operating models and technology risks, building data analytics tool for governments to understand their online presence and brand.
Besides her role at the GovTech Lab, she was also a Council Member at the Transparency International Lithuanian Chapter and served as a jury member for Startup Visa Committee, UserCentriCities Award, selection of Lithuania‘s nominees for World Summit Awards.
speaker
Mercy Kimalat
Chief Executive Officer
Association of Startup and SME Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK)
Mercy is the founding CEO of the Association of Startup and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) that brings together and represent the interests of 150+ entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) that support the development and growth of startups and SMEs.
She has over a decade experience in designing and managing impact driven programs for professional development and across diverse sectors in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. In the past she has played a vital role in growing brands and fostering collaboration with strategic partners within 8 African countries, European and Middle East markets, who included but we’re not limited to Government institutions, Regulatory bodies, Fintechs, Technology firms and others.
speaker
Nanjira Sambuli
Researcher, Policy Analyst and Strategist
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Nanjira Sambuli is a researcher, policy analyst and strategist studying the unfolding, gendered impacts of digitalization/ICT adoption on governance, diplomacy, media, entrepreneurship, and culture, especially in Africa.
Nanjira is a Fellow in the Technology and International Affairs Program at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and a Ford Global Fellow. She is a board member at Development Gateway and Digital Impact Alliance, a Diplomacy Moderator at the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) and advises the Carnegie Council’s AI and Equality Initiative.
Nanjira previously led digital equality advocacy efforts at the World Wide Web Foundation, and worked at iHub Nairobi, where she provided strategic guidance for growth of technology innovation research in the East Africa region. She has also served as a board member at The New Humanitarian, co-chair of Transform Health, as a Commissioner on the Lancet & Financial Times Governing Health Futures 2030 Commission, as a panel member on the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, and as a deputy on the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel for Women’s Economic Empowerment.
speaker
Shamira Ahmed
Executive Director
Data Economy Policy Hub
Shamira Ahmed is the executive director of the Data Economy Policy Hub (DepHUB), the first independent think tank founded by an indigenous African woman in South Africa (SA). The DepHUB is a founding partner of the SA AI Association (SAAIA).
Shamira is a policy entrepreneur, experienced quantitative economist, and interdisciplinary policy and research specialist with a track record of leading multi-country research projects; managing the data value chain; working in multicultural, multidisciplinary, and dynamic work environments, and producing high-quality knowledge outputs. She is a key co-author of the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Data Policy Framework and has contributed to policy-oriented documents at global platforms such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and Group of Twenty (G20), to name a few
Shamira is a Policy Leader Fellow at the European University Institute (EUI), inaugural Chair of the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, Civil Society & Academia Advisory Group (CSAAG), and a member of various working groups such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) Planet Positive 2030, IGF’s Policy Network on Artificial Intelligence (PNAI), Partnership on AI's (PAI) Demographic Data and Algorithmic Fairness, Gender Responsible AI Network (G*RAIN), and UN's Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) Measuring E-commerce and Digital Economy Statistics, to name a few.
speaker
Aissatou Jeanne Ndiaye
Director of Information and Communication Technologies
Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Senegal
Aissatou Jeanne Ndiaye, a computer engineer by training, has more than 17 years of experience in the digital transformation of the Administration. A specialist in project management and strategic planning, she has been at the heart of major computerization projects in Senegal. She is known for her pragmatism and her ability to deliver results. She is currently Director of Information and Communication Technologies at the Ministry in charge of digital technology. Ms. Ndiaye is responsible, in particular, for establishing a framework favorable to the development of digital uses and services.
She therefore led the development of the data strategy, that of artificial intelligence and the assessment of the maturity of Senegal's ethical AI and the update of the cybersecurity strategy. She also monitors the implementation of the Administration's digitalization action plan. She understood very early on that digital technology is a vector of innovation and empowerment, which is why in 2012 she is committed to reducing the digital divide by inviting young girls and women to pursue studies in STEM, and by supporting socially disadvantaged people to follow digital literacy training.
speaker
Talla Ndiaye
Director
Data-Pop Alliance
Talla is the Director of the Program “Just Digital Transformations” at Data-Pop Alliance (DPA), where he has notably supported the development of Senegal and Ghana’s national data strategies. Prior to joining DPA, he worked for more than 10 years in France and Senegal for Orange - Sonatel, and the Senegalese Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy. An engineer by training, he has expertise in digital technology, data governance, and Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, both in the private and public sectors, as well as in international organizations.
speaker
Prof. Tom Ogada
Executive Director
ACTS
Prof. Ogada has enormous experience from senior management levels in research, university, public and private sector. Prof. Ogada holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Belarusian Polytechnic, Minsk, USSR (1987), PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University Hamburg-Harburg, Germany (1995) and MBA in Strategic Management from Moi University, Kenya (2005). He started his career in Moi University, where he worked for 18 years and rose to the position of Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering in 2000 where he helped to establish MSc and PhD programs in Energy Studies. He was Head of the Department of production engineering for six years (1996-2003) and founder Managing Director of Moi University Holding Limited, a technology transfer arm of the University (2003-2006).. Between 2013 and 2017, he was County Minister responsible for Trade, Industrialization and Investment in Homa Bay County. He is currently the chairman of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA).
Since 2000, Prof Ogada has been a consultant for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in the areas of national intellectual property (IP) policy and strategy, institutional IP Policy as well as commercialization of research results and technology transfer. A respected regional expert in this area, Prof Ogada has participated in development of national IP policy and strategy for Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia. He developed three guidelines and tools to help developing countries in formulating national intellectual property policy and strategies. in addition he has also helped several universities in Africa to develop Institutional IP Policy and authored a guideline to support institutions.
Why Attend
Connect.
This summit is a strategic forum that aligns with global agendas such as the African Union's Agenda 2063, providing a platform for showcasing leadership in digital transformation and contributing to critical discussions on the digital economy's growth potential. By connecting with global leaders and influencers, participants can foster valuable connections that drive collaboration, growth, and policy-making for sustainable digital transformation.
Why Attend
Invest.
Seize the opportunity at the Connected Africa 2024 Summit to be at the forefront of Africa's digital transformation. This summit is not merely a gathering of policymakers and tech leaders; it's a strategic investment platform where influential decision-makers converge. For investors, this is a unique chance to be directly involved in shaping policies and strategies that will drive Africa's digital economy. You will be contributing to dialogues pivotal for crafting sustainable digital economies.
Why Attend
Transform.
The Connected Africa 2024 Summit is a pivotal platform for engaging in Africa's Digital Transformation Agenda. It brings together a diverse array of influential figures, including Heads of State, Ministers of ICT, CEOs, and industry experts, offering unique networking and collaboration opportunities. This summit is a gateway to understanding and influencing Africa's digital future.
The Summit
Scheduled Events
Bringing together African Heads of State, Ministers of ICT, public sector representatives, private sector leaders, academia, foreign missions, development partners, sponsors, delegates, and thought leaders, the summit ensures a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue that reflects the diversity of Africa.
Golf Tournament
Swing into Connectivity at our Golf Tournament, teeing up digital connections and networking excellence on the vibrant greens, a day blending sport and business synergy.
Plenary Sessions
Chart Africa's Digital Journey in insightful Plenary Sessions. Join thought leaders shaping our digital destiny, exploring innovation, and paving the way for continent-wide growth.
Breakout Sessions
Navigate Africa's Digital Frontiers in our Breakout Sessions. Dive deep into dialogues, exploring solutions, and unlocking the potential for digital growth across the continent.
Pavilions
Step into a Digital Landscape of Possibilities at our Pavilion. Showcasing innovation across diverse pavilions, connect with Africa's digital present and future in one dynamic space.
Meetings & Signing
Explore Digital Solutions for Africa's Growth in our Meetings and Signings. Witness strategic collaborations shaping the future of the continent's digital development.
Awards
Celebrate at our Evening of Celebrations and Connectivity. Honor excellence in digital innovation, recognizing Africa's trailblazers shaping the future of the continent's digital landscape.
The Summit
Event Sponsors
The Summit
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about The Connected Africa Summit 2024, answered.
When is The Connected Africa Summit 2024 ?
The Connected Africa 2024 Summit is a premier event focused on advancing digital transformation across Africa. It brings together Heads of State, Ministers of ICT, senior government leaders, CEOs, investors, and experts from various sectors to discuss strategies for leveraging the digital economy for development, aligning with the African Union's Agenda 2063.
How can my organisation become a sponsor of the Summit?
We offer various sponsorship packages tailored to your organization's goals and budget. For more details on sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please contact our secretariat at connectedafrica@ict.go.ke.
How can my organisation become a sponsor of the Summit?
Stay informed by following us on social media, and regularly visiting our official website. We will provide updates on speakers, sessions, and other event news.
Who can I contact for more information?
For any inquiries, please reach out to our secretariat at connectedafrica@ict.go.ke. Whether you have questions about registration, sponsorship, or any other aspect of the Summit, we're here to help.
