GSMA Summits

Join us for the FinTech Summit as we explore the key global and regional trends powering fintech and commerce. With expert speakers from across the ecosystem we will undertake deep dives into how they have leveraged these trends to create compelling, winning solutions, transforming markets and lives. The summit will include sessions on innovation, analysing best practices with leaders who have engrained innovation into their DNA; powering commerce – how mobile is at the heart of the growth in commerce driving trends in conversational and social commerce, including the creator economy ; world class collaboration- exploring how collaboration is the key to unlocking early market entry and the co-creation of scaled solutions that are disrupting markets. Fintech is a game changer, enabling financial inclusion, changing lives, and driving growth. From superapps to blockchain, AI to digital identity, and digital payments to Insurtech, remittances to lending, platforms to APIs;regulation to data privacy; our summit will explore case studies from our partners in the region who have delivered solutions , whilst also providing a backdrop of insights from across the globe.

5G momentum continues to build in Africa, with nearly 40 commercial networks in 20 countries as of June 2024. As many as 15 more networks could go live by the end of 2024, taking 5G coverage to around a tenth of the region’s population. The 5G market in Africa benefits from access to suitable spectrum in a growing number of countries and the latent demand for enhanced connectivity services, which can be unlocked by 5G networks.

However, 5G adoption remains sluggish in many countries where the technology is now available. For the entire region, 5G as a percentage of total mobile connections will only reach 2% by the end of 2024, compared to the global average of nearly 25%. There are several barriers to 5G uptake among consumers and enterprise in Africa, including limited access to affordable 5G devices, sufficient use cases, and limited network coverage.

The 5G summit at MWC Kigali 2024 - the third in the series - will provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas on how tackle the main barriers to adoption and, by extension, improve the 5G business case for operators and realise the societal benefits of the technology. The summit will bring together leaders from government, the mobile industry and adjacent verticals to find common grounds on policy and economic enablers for 5G adoption in Africa.

Africa's secure future, powered by mobile technology

This summit addresses critical aspects of security and fraud prevention across various sectors. Session 1 highlights the importance of security awareness campaigns, to protect against insider threats from employees. Session 2 provides a global overview of telecommunications security, focusing on innovative solutions to protect mobile networks and their users. Session 3 delves into the evolving fraud landscape, emphasising the rise of social engineering scams and the role of advanced identity authentication solutions in combating these threats. Together, these sessions offer comprehensive insights into fortifying security and mitigating fraud in today's interconnected world.

This year’s Diversity for Tech Summit, in partnership with inABLE, will focus on the urgent need for disability inclusion in Africa's booming tech sector. The summit will unite leaders, innovators, policymakers, and advocates to develop strategies and share insights for building a more inclusive digital landscape. Key sessions will explore AI in accessibility and the importance of inclusive mobile technologies. Targeting policymakers, mobile network operators, AI developers, business leaders, and advocacy groups, this summit aims to drive actionable change for a disability-inclusive Africa.

Join the Open Gateway DevCon to revolutionize connectivity solutions with Network APIs. This event unlocks vast data resources for collaboration, innovation, and monetization. Gain insights, practical knowledge, and learn how to leverage Network APIs for development. The GSMA Open Gateway initiative helps developers enhance and deploy services swiftly. Expect opportunities for collaboration, innovative inspiration, and monetization strategies. Don’t miss this chance to shape the future of connectivity solutions.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces challenges in achieving sustainable growth due to limited infrastructure, investment, and skilled workforce. The uneven adoption of technologies like 5G and IoT hampers progress. To address this, the GSMA is organizing the Sub-Saharan Africa Industry Verticals Summit at MWC Kigali 2024, focusing on Digital Health, Manufacturing, and 5G Private Networks. The summit aims to showcase mobile technology's impact, facilitate knowledge sharing, promote collaboration, and identify opportunities and challenges in the region's digital transformation.