Connect with us

News

East Africa Com Celebrate 20th Editions

Published

2 years ago

on

The event will once again reunite the region’s tech leaders, telecom c-suite executives, promising start-up founders as well as senior regulators and government officials
Access Multimedia Content

East Africa’s premier technology, telecommunication, media, and broadcasting event will return to Nairobi on 25-26 April after a three-year digital hiatus. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event will once again reunite the region’s tech leaders, telecom c-suite executives, promising start-up founders as well as senior regulators and government officials as over 50 industry heavyweights from Safaricom, Telkom Kenya, Kenya’s Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Djibouti Telecom, Google, Microsoft, Airtel, and more take to the event’s stage to impart their wisdom.

As one of the continent’s tech powerhouses where the pace of new technologies adoption such as 5G remains high, East Africa, as it continues its digital transformation journey, offers exciting opportunities which will be analysed in the event’s programme, alongside barriers that need to be overcome to unlock the region’s full tech potential.

East Africa Com will delve into a great variety of highly time-sensitive topics. From exploring topics around the 4IR and how East African can lead in an era of economic disruption to combating cyber-attacks threats, or the next phase in the region’s fintech revolution and the war for talent, East Africa Com will present a rich and diverse agenda.

“In a sector as dynamic as tech, in a region as diverse as East Africa, we want to showcase and celebrate the incredible pace of innovation as well as the resilience of the region’s tech sector” explains Ciara McDonald Heffernan, Event Director for East Africa Com. “Our ambition is clear: We are committed to building a programme that will help educate the industry on some of the exciting projects and play a key role in facilitating strong partnerships across the region.”

ALSO READ:  Kaduna Governor Urges Citizens To Unit And Build A Model State In 2025

Some of the sessions attendees can look forward to include a panel uniting East African Operators including Andy Halsall, CEO at poa!, Gerishon Gitonga, Head of Network Planning at Safaricom and Bonface Ndawala, CEO at Malcel discuss novel routes to delivering meaningful connectivity to underserved areas.

Last mile connectivity will be key to unlocking the next stage of East Africa’s Digital transformation and we look forward to having our Opening Keynote, George Njuguna, Director, Information Technology (CIO) at Safaricom share his insights on Vision 2030 and the role of Technology Talent and Digital Skills in Building East Africa’s Digital Economies.

An important aspect of this Digital Transformation has been the evolution of telcos in the region, and we will be gathering experts from Djibouti Telecom, Telkom Kenya and TESPOK to analyse the evolution of telcos in the region and the importance of putting digital at the heart of East Africa’s telecommunication strategies.

The company said it will also be welcoming key policymakers at the event, adding, “and we are looking forward to hearing from experts from the Deputy Director at Kenya’s Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Google, Telkom Kenya and Microsoft who will share their insights on how best to regulate the tech sector to spur innovation and combat some of the key barriers to growth.

Overall, the two-day programme will explore the role of technology in driving socio-economic growth by tackling some of the most pressing challenges faced by the region today.

A powerful start-up focused platform

To mirror East Africa’s vibrant start-up scene, the event will host a dedicated one-day platform, AHUB East, to bring the region’s most inspiring startup founders under one roof on 26 April. The agenda will see discussions articulated around key topics such as empowering startups to face investors or how East Africa’s tech startup ecosystem can contribute to the region’s sustainable future. Especially anticipated is the timely fireside chat discussion on the impact of the Silicon Valley Crisis and what lessons Eastern African startups can learn to best future-proof their businesses.

ALSO READ:  Edo Adopts Action Plan to Boost Investment Inflow, Deepen Reforms

To guide the discussions, AHUB East brings an inspiring mix of entrepreneurs, investors and other experts to take to the stage, including Gibson Kawago, Founder at WAGA Tanzania, John Kamara, Founder at AFAYREKOD, Jay Katatumba, Investor Director at Africa50 or Stephen Ogweno, CEO at Lifesten Health

Beyond knowledge-sharing, AHUB East will also help unlock new business opportunities by fostering connections between founders and investors. It will also see some of the region’s most promising startups battle on stage during a live pitch competition where judges Laurie Fuller, Venture Partner at Raiven Capital, Dario Giuliani, Founder & Director at Briter Bridges and John Kimani, Developer Ecosystem Program Manager at Google Kenya will put them to the test to crown the winner.

AHUB East’s live pitch competition judge, Laurie Fuller, explains that “Judging start up pitches is like unearthing hidden gems, each glint revealing the boundless potential of human ingenuity and the promise of a brighter future.”

Celebrating East Africa’s tech pioneers

On the evening of 25 April, the East Africa Com Awards will recognize and celebrate the best and brightest in the region who are driving digital transformation. The seven award categories will put the spotlight on the individuals, organizations, and companies for their commitment and achievements in the digital space. The awards include Inspiring Leader of the Year, Female Innovator of the Year, Fintech Innovation of the Year, Startup of the Year, Connectivity Champion of the Year, Changing Lives Award and Most Innovative Product or Service of the Year.

After receiving close to 100 applications, the shortlisted candidates are now subject to a round of public votes until 14 April that will determine the top three finalists across each category. Their award submissions will then be submitted to a panel of judges before the winners are unveiled during the exclusive awards ceremony.

ALSO READ:  Alaafin-designate: Oyo kingmakers reject Owoade’s appointment

The event will be a great opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of those who are at the forefront of the region’s digital revolution. It is also an opportunity to learn more about successful business models and innovative approaches. The East Africa Com Awards will be a great platform to connect with industry leaders, share experiences, and build relationships that could open new doors for growth and success.

A platform for leaders

Featuring high-level presentations and tailored roundtable discussions, the LeadersIn East Africa Summit taking place on 25 April is a unique opportunity to interact with senior corporate and government leaders to identify tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges.

These interactive, curated, invite-only sessions will explore the current critical issues affecting Africa’s development, with industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and other ecosystem players working to progress the region’s digital transformation journey. The closed-door roundtables provide a unique forum to build meaningful connections, share experiences and drive valuable outputs and will focus on topics as important as the war on talent, driving gender equality, the role of telcos in driving digital inclusion and responsible leadership.

Source: APO Group/ East Africa Com

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

NASS and the game of low women numbers

Published

3 hours ago

on

February 26, 2025

By

By Jumai Ahmadu

It is no longer news that there was an altercation between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, but what it underscores is how women in elective positions in Nigeria continue to face severe under-representation.

Senator Natasha Akpoti, who was almost suspended from parliament by the Senate President, is just one out of similar cases in the recent past. Sen. Ireti Kingibe and Sen. Remi Tinubu (now First Lady) all had bitter experiences at the upper chamber.

It is in the light of these awful experiences that Seat Reservation for Women Bill by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, becomes urgent to only boost gender parity, but to unlock national prosperity of which women are a critical segment of.

Nigerian women’s political engagement in Nigeria has quantitatively shown that there is grossly low levels of female election to the National Assembly. The issue of female electiveness is one of myriad of issues women face in Nigeria – poor economic power, discrimination, cultural and religious inhibitions as well as societal biases.

The very notion that the country’s political sphere since 1999 has not witnessed any seismic shift in terms of gender equity and parity rather has remained largely dominated by men despite several efforts by both government and the private sector to enhance women participation and representation in elective politics does not inspire confidence in terms of inclusion and diversity.

A statistical report in 2017 on women and men in Nigeria shows that representation of high-ranking government officials with decision-making powers is heavily lopsided in favour of men. The representation of women in the 9th Assembly is not a significant improvement from past Assemblies.

ALSO READ:  Why we chose Kano for ECOWAS parliamentary session- Barau

In 1999, sixteen (16) women were elected into the National Assembly with thirteen (13) in the House of Representatives and three (3) in the Senate. The total number increased to 25 in 2003 with twenty-one (21) in the House and four (4) in the Senate.

The highest number of women ever to be elected into the National Assembly is thirty (36) in 2007 with twenty-seven (27) in the House and nine (9) in the Senate. Since then, there has been a steady decline to thirty-two (32) in 2011, twenty-nine (29) in 2015 and seventeen (17) in 2019.

In the 9th National Assembly, there were eight (8) female Senators (7.3%) and thirteen (13) female Members of the House of Representatives (3.6%), which represents 4.5% of the entire Assembly.

The 10th Assembly has women occupying four (4) out of 109 seats (2.7%) in the Senate and 17 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives (4.7%), which represents 4.2% of the 469-member Assembly.

Therefore, after seven general election cycles since 1999, the number of women in the Senate has dropped to what it was at Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

It is thus significant to note that the cumulative percentage of women in the two chambers of Nigeria’s incoming 10th National Assembly is below 5%. It is also important to note that no woman was elected in 15 out of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly following the state level general elections in March 2023.

With current figures for the 10th National Assembly, Nigeria shamefully places at the lowest neighborhood of the ranking of countries on women in public leadership especially African Parliaments.

ALSO READ:  Public Service Award A Morale Booster, Says FIRS Nami

The National Assembly must take action to support increase in the number of women represented in government by passing the specific Constitution Alteration bills to achieve this.

The Temporary Special Measures bill, with more than 80 other House of Representatives members co-sponsoring it, was debated but failed to pass in the 9th Assembly. It is instructive that women groups are continuing work on the bill in the current 10th National Assembly and needs to work harder not to lose this opportunity again.

Women’s lack of adequate participation in legislative processes has negatively impacted promotion and enforcement of their rights, and despite the low representation of women in the National Assembly, the bills sponsored by female legislators has had significant impact on the lives of all Nigerians. Men’s efforts, if any, to promote these rights are not sufficient, because they are not direct beneficiaries.

Structural biases and barriers to women’s political participation indicate that the few women who show active interest in politics are discouraged by factors that include prevailing gender stereotypes, cultural/religious reasons, unfavourable political environment, lack of financial capacity, electoral violence and restrictive party structures and processes, amongst others.

Political hurdles, socio-cultural issues such as patriarchy, religious dogma, and conventional views of women in politics and socio-economic hurdles such as low income, lack of resources, electoral processes and political party structures, have all been identified as barriers to women’s political engagement.

While women are making significant contributions to Nigerian politics, their representation in political and decision-making positions needs to be improved.

ALSO READ:  Why Aisha Bala-Muhammad's Trek Through Mudwater—Group

And 30 years after the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) we are nowhere near the 35% affirmative action.

Women groups plan to participate in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Conference scheduled to hold March 10 to 21, 2025.

The main focus of the sixty-ninth session will be on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly.

It is therefore recommended that the country’s 35 per cent affirmative action for women’s representation in politics be codified into law. Having legislation that requires government at all levels to have at least 35 per cent representation of women in appointive public service positions will be a good way to engender greater participation of women in politics.

Considering the importance of their presence in governance, we urge women in public leadership to stand firm and continue representing their constituents. They should never ever lose their voice, but rather continue to stand strong in your commitment to citizens and prove that representation matters.

Dr. Jumai Ahmadu is the Acting Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department, of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Continue Reading

News

Sustained military operations restore normalcy to Northeast – Nigerian Army

Published

4 hours ago

on

February 26, 2025

By

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, has said sustained military operations have improved security in the Northeast region.

He said this had led to return of economic activities and public gatherings in the region.

Haruna said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

He noted that the return of major agricultural activities as well as successful coronations of new traditional rulers in Madagali, Askira, Chibok, Dikwa, and Bama were clear indicators of improved stability in the region.

He explained that the presence of high-profile guests at these events, including top government officials, military commanders, and traditional rulers, were testaments to the improved security environment.

He also highlighted the success of last year’s farming season, which according to him, recorded bumper harvest, as further proof of growing stability in rural communities of the region.

”If you want to confirm, just visit Pulka or other farming areas. You will see that many farmers are still processing and storing their harvests,” he said.

He noted that before now, farmers were unable to access their farmlands due to persistent threats from insurgents, stressing that the military operations have created a more secured environment for agricultural activities to thrive.

He also said that the secure environment had created an atmosphere for free movement of people and goods to community markets in different parts of the region.

”Unlike in the past, residents can now travel from one location to another without requiring military escorts. That alone is a major sign that things have changed,” he said.

ALSO READ:  Why we chose Kano for ECOWAS parliamentary session- Barau

The GOC reaffirmed that kinetic operations remained a critical tool in dismantling insurgents’ hideouts and forcing militants to surrender.

”We are still in the field, monitoring and engaging them. Through such sustained operations, many terrorists have voluntarily surrendered because they can no longer sustain themselves in what they are doing.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for them to operate,” he said.

He reiterated that the military would continue using kinetic means alongside intelligence-driven operations to ensure the complete eradication of terrorism in the region.

Haruna further highlighted the military’s non-kinetic interventions, which include providing security for schools, facilitating economic activities, and assisting communities affected by humanitarian crises.

”We have done a lot to win the hearts and minds of the people. One example is during the recent floods, where the military played a crucial role in rescue operations.

”In fact, we worked so closely with NEMA and SEMA that we practically became an emergency response agency ourselves,” he said.

He said that those interventions had positively reshaped public perceptions of the military, making it easier for troops to operate and engage with local communities.

”Our efforts have not only restored peace but have also encouraged economic growth, education, and general development in the region,” he added.(NAN)

Continue Reading

News

Zamfara Govt urged to rehabilitate, empower repentant bandits before re-integration

Published

4 hours ago

on

February 26, 2025

By

Zamfara State Government has been urged to implement comprehensive rehabilitation and socio-economic empowerment programmes before re-integrating repentant bandits in the state.

Executive Director, Civil Society Organisation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC),, Auwal Rafsanjani, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

This, Rafsanjani said, would help to prevent re-radicalisation and mitigate potential threats to communities in the state.

He, however, commended Gov. Dauda Lawal for adopting a different approach to end banditry in the state.

Rafsanjani said that the governor took the right step by launching Operation Safe Corridor, an initiative aimed at tackling insecurity through a non-kinetic approach.

“The shift from kinetic to non-kinetic approach in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges aligns with the administration’s commitment to decisively tackling banditry.

“The initiative offers a safe passage for non-radicalised individuals who were drawn into banditry due to illiteracy, poverty and other socio-economic factors.

“CISLAC believes Operation Safe Corridor will strengthen policy focus on non-kinetic measures, reducing the heavy reliance on arms and ammunition in maintaining peace,” he said.

The executive director said that the state government should intensify efforts to disrupt the cycle of banditry at various stages, including ideation, recruitment, indoctrination and violence.

He also called for public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements to enhance community awareness and counter-extremism education.

Rafsanjani stressed the importance of providing psycho-social support, compensation and reconstruction for victims of banditry to alleviate their trauma and mitigate socio-economic losses.

He urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the state government to ensure successful implementation of Operation Safe Corridor. (NAN)

ALSO READ:  President Buhari Charges NLC new President to Be a Partner In Progress
Continue Reading