PROPELLING AFRICA’S DIGITAL FUTURE
07:30 - 09:00 Registration and Refreshments
09:00 - 09:10 Moderator’s Welcome | Caitlin Nash, Founding Director of Golden Thread Markets
09:10 - 09:15 Organiser’s Address | Ralf Fletcher, CEO, Topco Media
09:15 - 09:25
09:25 - 09:35
Platinum Partner Opening Address |Tebogo Leshope, CEO, Sentech
Host City Opening Address | Alderman Theresa Uys: Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, City of Cape Town
09:35 - 09:50 Minister’s Address|Ethics, Safety and Trust: Building a Responsible Tech Economy in Africa
As AI adoption accelerates across public institutions, financial systems, and everyday services, the continent faces urgent questions around safety, accountability, and societal impact In this address; South Africa’s Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies, Honourable Solly Malatsi, explores how Africa can harness emerging technologies responsibly.
Speakers:
● Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister, Department of Communication and Digital Technologies
Re-Engineering Africa’s Foundational Systems for the Future
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09:50 - 10:30
Hosted by Sentech
Panel Discussion |The Backbone of the Digital Economy: Building Resilient Continental Infrastructure for The Future
As Africa accelerates towards a cloud-driven, AI-enabled economy, the strength of its digital foundations will determine who leads and who lags. This session unpacks the critical role of resilient national infrastructure, from broadcast networks and broadband systems to data transport and last-mile connectivity, in enabling innovation, economic growth, and service delivery at scale. Join us as we explore the engineering, policy, and investment pathways needed to build an infrastructure backbone capable of supporting the continent’s digital ambitions for decades to come.
Panellists:
● Flenk Mnisi, Acting COO, Sentech
● Ziaad Suleman, CEO, Cassava Technologies
● Nigel van Tura, Segment Leader: Network Infrastructure, Sub Saharan Africa, Nokia South Africa
● Salvador Anglada, Group CEO, Optasia
10:30 - 11:10
Hosted by Telkom
In - Conversation|Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure: Turning Principles into Practice at Scale
As Africa rolls out next-generation connectivity, trust in the infrastructure powering the digital economy is becoming just as critical as speed and coverage. AI is increasingly embedded within telecom networks, optimising traffic flows, managing spectrum, predicting network faults and strengthening cyber resilience.
Moderator: Dumisa Ngwenya, Head of Research and Innovation, Sentech
Panellist:
● Naeem Seedat, Group Executive: Digital Strategy & Venturing, Telkom Group
11:10 - 11:25 Keynote Address | Alan Knott-Craig, Founder, fibertime
11:25 - 11:45 FAST TRACK NETWORKING
11:45 - 12:05
NETWORKING BREAK | Recharge & Refresh
Digitised Systems for a Modern Africa
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12:05 - 12:35 Fireside Chat | Digital Tools That Will Redefine Energy Security in Africa
With rising energy demand across homes, industries and cities, Africa is shifting focus from reactive power cuts to proactive energy management. This session explores how smart metering, AI-enabled demand forecasting, battery-orchestration systems, virtual power plants and IoT-based energy controls are helping businesses and communities optimise consumption rather than reduce it. From real-time energy dashboards and automated switching to dynamic pricing models, delegates will uncover how digital tools are decentralising power resilience, extending grid capacity and enabling smarter decision-making ultimately shaping a future where energy availability is predictable, transparent and equitably stabilised
Panellists:
● Len de Villiers, Group CTIO, Eskom
● James Hickman, Country General Manager and Executive Director, Amazon Web Services
12:35 - 13:05 Hosted by Sentech Panel Discussion|Next-Generation Broadcasting: Hybrid Models for a Cloud-Driven, Multi-Platform Africa
As consumer behaviour shifts and content consumption fragments across devices, Africa’s broadcasting landscape is moving rapidly toward hybrid, cloud-enabled distribution models. This session explores how traditional broadcasters, OTT platforms and telecom networks can collaborate to deliver scalable, flexible and cost-efficient services that meet modern demand. From cloud playout to interactive features and personalised content delivery, we unpack the technologies reshaping the future of broadcasting in a multi-platform Africa.
Panellists:
● Kopano Thage, Chief Commercial Officer: Media Business, Sentech
● Lungile Binza, COO, SABC
● Sabelo Mwali, CTO, MultiChoice Group
● Thabiso Thukani, Acting CEO, USAASA
13:05 - 13:55 LUNCH BREAK | Fuel Up and Connect
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13:55 - 14:10
Hosted by Binance
14:10 - 14:50
Hosted by LexisNexis
Fireside Chat |The Rise of Crypto Economies in Africa
Crypto adoption across Africa is accelerating as individuals and businesses look for faster payments, alternative stores of value, and access to global markets. This session explores how digital assets are shaping new economic ecosystems across the continent.
Speaker: Yande Nomvete, Africa Operations Manager, Binance
Panel Discussion |From AI Hype to Workflow Advantage: Where Real Value Is Being Won
Most AI investments are stalling not because the technology fails, but because it never moves from a standalone tool to an embedded part of how people actually work. This session explores where organisations are finding real ROI: the shift from tools to workflows, what persona-first design looks like in practice, and how to identify the moments where AI genuinely changes outcomes. A practical, cross-industry conversation about turning potential into performance.
Panellists:
● Terrance Naidoo, Product Director, LexisNexis
● Desigan Naidoo, Executive Manager: Technology, LexisNexis
● Marushka Johannes, Community Engagement Lead Southern Africa, Women in AI
● Leeanne Cape, Group CEO, Quazar
14:50 - 15:05
Hosted by iOCO Technology G o p Tech Talk | Experience Led AI Software Delivery: AI Accelerates Software Delivery Respect for the Craft Is What Makes It Safe.
Every team is shipping faster. AI tools are generating code in seconds that used to take hours. The productivity numbers are real and so is the debt accumulating underneath them. We are living through the fastest adoption of a development tool in the history of software engineering. And almost nobody is asking the question that matters most, not how fast are we generating code, but how much of what we are shipping can actually be operated safely, defended in a regulatory review, and maintained by the next engineer who touches it.
This session is not a debate about whether AI belongs in software delivery. That conversation is over. It is about what happens in the gap between adoption and governance and why the organisations getting this right are not the ones with the most sophisticated AI tooling. They are the ones who never stopped respecting the craft
Drawing on two decades of enterprise delivery across banking, telco, government and
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large-scale legacy modernisation, this talk makes the case for what experience actually provides in an AI-augmented world and what it costs when you treat it as optional.
Speaker: Denzil Govender, CTO, iOCO Technology Group
15:05 - 15:40 Panel Discussion |Learning 4.0: Bridging Digital Skills and Employment in Africa’s Future Economy
The future of skills development is digital, but the true measure of success lies in how effectively these skills translate into real economic opportunity. As Africa faces a rapidly growing youth population, the challenge is no longer just access to learning, but ensuring that skills development leads to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. This session explores how intelligent learning platforms, immersive technologies, and data-driven insights are transforming how Africans acquire and apply skills; while directly connecting education to workforce demand
Moderator: Nande Boss, Partnerships Lead at Sakaza Afrika, Author, Speaker
Panellists:
● Akhil Boddu, Co-Founder, Zaio.io
● Divesh Sooka, Managing Director, Impira Tech
● Yazid Bohardien, Co-Founder & CEO, Launchpath Recruitment
● Leora Hessen, Founder, Hello Aida
15:40 - 15:50 Tech Talk |The Future of African Public Transport: Digitisation, Payments and Passenger Experience
African public transport is evolving rapidly through technology. This session explores how intelligent mobility platforms are transforming the way people move across cities and regions. Attendees will see how data-driven insights and innovative digital solutions are making transport safer, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of passengers.
Speaker: Jamie Wyngaard, Co-Founder, Loop
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15:50 - 16:10 Fireside Chat|The Rise of Autonomous Attacks: AI-Powered Breaches, Self-Learning Malware and Defensive Automation
As cyber threats evolve, attackers are harnessing AI to create self-learning malware, automated phishing campaigns, and adaptive intrusion strategies. This session explores how autonomous attacks are reshaping the threat landscape and forcing organisations to rethink their defensive posture. Delegates will gain insight into how AI-driven security tools, real-time threat intelligence, and automated response systems are being deployed to detect, contain, and mitigate these next-generation cyber risks while maintaining operational resilience and protecting critical assets across industries.
Moderator: Abdul Kader Baba, CTIO, Infrastructure SA
Panellists:
● Ram Ramakrishnan, Founder & CEO, Cloud23
● Nomahlubi Ogoh, Chief Information Officer, Sentech
16:10 - 16:40 Panel Discussion | Gaming, Media and IP: Building Africa’s Next Entertainment Economy
Africa’s gaming and digital media sectors are converging to form a rapidly evolving entertainment economy, driven by growing audiences, local content creation, and expanding digital platforms. As the lines between gaming, media, and storytelling continue to blur, new opportunities are emerging to create, distribute, and monetise African intellectual property at scale
Moderator: Jason Mill, Co-Founder, The Open Letter
Panellists:
● Nicholas Hall, Commercial Manager, Reforged Studios
● Simon Wall, Group CEO, Glynt
● Hannah Kasaby, Senior Director: Business Operations, Carry1st
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16:40 - 17:10
Fireside Chat |Driving African Manufacturing Competitiveness Through Industry 4.0
As global production ecosystems become increasingly digital and data-driven, African manufacturers face a defining moment: adapt, modernise and compete or fall behind. This session explores how Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI, industrial IoT, automation, robotics and advanced analytics, are transforming factory floors into intelligent, high-performance environments.
Panellists:
● Vinesh Maharaj, Director: Smart Manufacturing & Industry, NTT DATA Africa & Middle East
● Sereme Malatji, Founder & Investor, Methano Group
● Mpho Mbonani, Head of Strategic Partnerships, The Innovation Hub
17:10 - 17:15 Moderator’s Closing:
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PROPELLING AFRICA’S DIGITAL FUTURE
DAY 2 - 13 May 2026
08:00 - 09:00 Registration and Refreshments
09:00 - 09:05 Moderator’s Welcome | Caitlin Nash, Founding Director of Golden Thread Markets
09:05 - 09:15
Sentech Opening Address | Itumeleng Segaloe, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Sentech
09:15 - 09:30 Deputy Minister’s Address | Laying the Digital Foundation: Infrastructure for an Inclusive Economy
Digital infrastructure is the foundation of a modern economy, shaping how people connect, how businesses operate, and how innovation scales As South Africa continues to expand connectivity, the focus is shifting from access alone to enabling meaningful participation in a digital-first world.
The Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies, Honourable Mondli Gungubele, addresses the critical role of infrastructure in unlocking economic growth, supporting emerging technologies, and driving inclusion at scale. It also considers the importance of coordinated policy, investment, and partnerships in building resilient, future-ready digital systems that can support the country’s long-term development.
Speaker: Hon. Mondli Gungubele, Deputy Minister, Department of Communication and Digital Technologies
Powering Progress: AI, Access & Automation
09:30 - 10:10 Panel Discussion |The Role of Tech in Driving Economic Participation
Economic participation in Africa is being reshaped by a convergence of technologies, platforms, and policy innovations. While fintech has played a critical role in expanding access to financial services, broader digital ecosystems; including connectivity, platforms, digital identity, and data-driven services, are unlocking new pathways for individuals and businesses
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to participate meaningfully in the economy.
Panellists:
● Marius Venter, Chief Commercial Officer: Broadband Business, Sentech
● Kagiso Mothibi, CEO: Fintech, MTN SA
● Ricardo Canovi, Director & Country Manager - South Africa, Kocho
● Annika Ojala, Tech & Equality Impact Advisor
10:10 - 10:20 Tech Talk|The 1x Team, 10x Output: Agentic Engineering for Lean Companies
Most AI talks assume enterprise budgets, specialist teams, and room to experiment. This one is for smaller companies with real constraints. Byron shares how a lean team can use agentic engineering, human review loops, and modern coding agents to increase output without losing control Using real examples from production systems built with OpenClaw, Codex, and computer-use tooling, this talk focuses on practical leverage: where agents help, where humans stay in the loop, and how to design workflows that actually hold up in the real world.
Speaker:
● Byron Rode, CEO, Ignis Labs
10:20 - 10:35 Hosted by ZOHO Corporation Tech Talk|AI Is Not the Advantage — Context Is: How Africa Can Avoid the Big Mistake
Everyone is racing to adopt AI, but the technology isn't the advantage. Context is. This session argues that Africa's biggest misstep would be importing global AI without grounding it in local realities, workflows, and customer needs. The winners won't be those with the smartest tools they'll be those who understand their environment best
Speaker:
● Andrew Bourne, Regional Head: Southern Africa, Zoho Corporation
10:35 - 10:55 NETWORKING BREAK | Recharge & Refresh
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10:55 - 11:55
Hosted by JUMO INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP |Banking as a Service in Africa
Financial inclusion at scale requires more than access. It requires innovative information management and future fit banking infrastructure.
JUMO is building the foundation as a market-leading Banking-as-a-Service platform, using AI to power savings and credit solutions across emerging markets.
Since 2015, JUMO has enabled over $10 billion in loans, reaching more than 38 million customers and small businesses across Africa.
Today, the continent’s top banks and payments companies partner with JUMO to unlock new revenue streams, reach underserved markets, and deliver real financial impact.
By combining AI-driven decisioning with scalable infrastructure, JUMO is helping financial institutions, payments providers and mobile money platforms to move faster, reduce risk, and expand access to digital financial services.
If you are focused on fintech, financial inclusion, and scalable digital infrastructure, this interactive conversation introduces the what and how of socially impactful technology that is shaping the future of finance in Africa through a partnership business model.
Speakers:
● Bradwin Roper, Chief Product and Payments Partnerships, JUMO
● Carmia Lureman-Norton, Head of Strategic Delivery & Corporate Affairs, JUMO
● Mike Cook, Executive Head, Wallet, Credit and Insurance, Mukuru
● Rhett Delaney, Product Marketing and Head of Brand, Mukuru
11:55 - 12:25 Fireside Chat | Embedded Intelligence: AI Adoption & Monetisation
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in the tools, platforms, and systems shaping how people work, create, and earn. A new generation of creators, entrepreneurs, and digital natives is leading this shift. Using AI and emerging tools to scale ideas, streamline production, and unlock entirely new forms of income.
The conversation focuses on how both businesses and individuals are integrating AI into workflows, products, and content to drive growth and monetisation.
Speaker:
● Grant Hinds, Leading South African Content Creator
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● Michael Deon, Founder, ALYS TECH and SeaSalt Agency
12:25 - 12:40
Hosted by The Innovation Hub Tech Talk | Positioning Gauteng as Africa's Innovation Gateway: Driving Collaboration, Investment and Growth
Gauteng is rapidly emerging as the continent's innovation gateway This session explores how the province is leveraging its concentration of tech hubs, universities, and infrastructure to attract investment, foster collaboration, and fuel growth. Discover why Gauteng is becoming the launchpad for Africa's next wave of innovation.
Speaker: Dr Bangani Mpangalasane, CEO, The Innovation Hub
12:40 - 13:20 LUNCH BREAK | Fuel Up and Connect
13:20 - 13:30 Interactive Quiz
13:30 - 14:30 Pitching Battle | The Ultimate Showdown!
The stage is set for 7 pre-selected Tech Startups to deliver a powerful 3-minute elevator pitch about their groundbreaking innovation, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with our esteemed panel of judges. After a fierce round of deliberations, our panel of expert judges will reveal the winner, crowning them as the Africa Tech Week 2026 Pitching Den Champion. The spotlight is on, and only one can take the prize!
Judging Panel:
● Ralf Fletcher - Topco
● Marike Fourie - Geeks4Learning
● Anthony Julies - City of Cape Town
● Mandisa Mpeko - Innovator Trust
● Beverley Basson - Tsiba
● Kgaugelo Tsoka - Innovation Hub
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Finalists:
● Shaqeel Less - Uthutho
● Thakgalang Monama - Spaazify
● Rodney Dube - Dialytic Flow
● Monyake Makhoana - PropTransfer
● Adrian Bunge - FindHomes
14:30 - 14:45 Judges Deliberations // Startup Grind Presentation
14:45 - 15:00 Africa Tech Week 2026 Pitching Den Champion announced | Prize Giving
15:00 Moderator’s Closing:
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