Sentech Africa Tech Week Conference | Schedule 2024

the conference SCHEDULE

DAY ONE | THURSDAY 16 MAY 2024

07:30 - 08:30 Registration & Refreshments

08:30 - 08:40

Moderator’s Welcome | Elma Akob, Founder, Elevate AfricaFeaturing Sebe the Robot!

08:40 - 08:45

Richard Fletcher, Founder, Topco Media & Ethan Fletcher,Executive, Topco Media

08:45 - 08:55

Host City Opening Address: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, City of Cape Town

08:55 - 09:05

Platinum Partner Opening Address: Tebogo Leshope, Acting CEO, Sentech

09:05 - 09:20

Minister’s Address | The 2024 Innovation Imperative: How Government is Leveraging AI & New Tech for Economic Growth

Speaker: Honourable Mr Mondli Gungubele, Minister, The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

09:20 - 10:00

PANEL DISCUSSION | Broadband: The Backbone of Digital Transformation

Broadband fuels digital transformation and social progress! This panel explores the tangible benefits: analysing SA Connect’s socio-economic impact on communities through 5G access, uncovering Sentech’s vision for leveraging 5G, and identifying key partnerships to accelerate deployment. We’ll cap it off with a real-world example – emaXesibeni – showcasing how 5G transforms content delivery.

Nomahlubi Ogoh Acting Chief Technology Information Officer, Sentech

Peter Mafagana Acting CEO, Broadband Infraco

Mmapula Kgari Acting Executive Broadband, Sentech

Mr. Joseph Ndaba 4IR Commissioner at the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and CEO of MDIHub

10:00 - 10:30

PANEL DISCUSSION | Unlocking your Data Goldmine: Leveraging Technology to Securely Capitalise on Your Company’s Data

Dealing with disparity in data quality, how can businesses clean out the trash and tap into opportunities that a company is sitting on through their data while utilising cybersecurity strategies. How to ethically leverage your data along with cybersecurity to identify trends and build fortified partnerships. What is the role of data centres in bridging gaps and addressing inequalities in data accessibility?

Jordan Seke CRM Advocate, Strategist and Change Manager, Wits University

Jessy Severins Group Director: AdTech & MarTech, Jumia Group

10:30 - 10:45

TECH TALK | Building the Infrastructure for Africa’s Cloud

Africa’s digital revolution is here! Discover how Africa Data Centres’ interconnected network is fueling regional growth and innovation. Explore how their secure, reliable data centre solutions empower businesses to thrive across the continent. Learn how you can be part of Africa’s digital future with Africa Data Centres.

FAST TRACK NETWORKING | Turning Conversations into Connections 10:45 - 11:00

11:00 - 11:30

NETWORKING BREAK | Recharge & Refresh

Steven Tshehla Managed Infrastructure Business Portfolio Manager, Sentech

Dr Angus Hay Regional Executive South Africa, Africa Data Centres

11:30 - 11:40

TECH DEMO | The Future of Law is AI-Powered: How is Technology and Artificial intelligence Transforming the Legal Sector?

The rise of AI both challenges legal frameworks and offers revolutionary potential. This session explores AI trends in law and their impact on businesses worldwide. We’ll then showcase how LexisNexis uses AI to deliver solutions for your evolving needs within specific sectors. Finally, learn strategies to “future-proof” your business in this dynamic landscape.

11:40 - 12:15

PANEL DISCUSSION | Innovative Tech Policies Boosting Intra-African Business and Trade

Africa’s booming tech scene needs policies that safeguard, not stifle, innovation. This session explores how tech policies can foster stronger intra-continental ties around innovation in legislation, trade, and business. We’ll also delve into digital platform policies and how to ensure they are empowering SMEs and driving overall socio-economic development.

Mr Marumo Nkomo Economic Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative, South African Permanent Mission to the WTO

Benedict Macon-Cooney Chief Policy Strategist, Tony Blair Institute

Makuse Public Policy Manager,

Meta

12:15 - 13:30

TECH TALK | Leading the Reskilling Revolution to Break Barriers and Combat AI Anxiety

In the Future of Work, where high youth unemployment exists alongside the rise of AI, our future generations need a renewed sense of job security and the opportunity to reskill themselves. ALX SA shares how employers and educational communities can support reskilling our youth and future entrepreneurs in key areas such as AI, soft skills etc. to ensure their indispensability.

- 13:30

Duduetsang

SADC,

Terrance Naidoo, Chief Product Officer, LexisNexis

Divesh Sooka GM, ALX SA

Workshop #1

Breaking into the “Boys Club” | The Importance of Mentorship for Women Leading In Tech

Is gender inequality still existent at work? How can women navigate being a female leader in the tech space and establish a formidable presence as a female in the Digital and STEM Industry.

Victoria Nxumalo Founder & Executive Director, Girls In STEM Trust

Workshop #2

NextGen FinTech | How to Stay Relevant in an Ever-Changing and Competitive Landscape

How can your business stay relevant in an everchanging and competitive fintech landscape? Learn how to evolve your financial products based on customer needs. Understand the power of the customer trust equation. How to maintain affordability and reliability as a Cross Border Payments leader. The transformative power of financial technology in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation.

Lara Rosmarin Head of Entrepreneurial Development, UVU Accelerate

Qaqamba Jikela Head: Southern Region, Sentech

Sandy Rheeder CIO, Mukuru

Rashika Ramlal Country Manager and Executive Director, AWS WWPS South Africa

Andy Jury CEO, Mukuru

Juan Seco Chief Growth Officer, Mukuru

13:30 - 14:40

Lunch Break | Fuel Up and Connect

Tendai Tizirai Head of Market Expansion, Mukuru

Lorraine Nyawo Head of Product Domain: Financial Services, Mukuru

Andy Gardner Head of Development and Technology Solutions, Mukuru

14:30 - 14:45

Tech Talk | Collaborating to unlock the potential of fintech to drive financial inclusion and economic growth in Africa.

Despite persistent challenges, Africa has made significant progress in financial inclusion, with over 70% of adults having access to banking. However, gender gaps and digital literacy remain issues. Fintech is crucial in democratising access to financialservices and empowering underserved sectors, yet collaboration is vital to overcome infrastructure, trust, regulatory, and interoperability barriers. Nedbank underscores thepsychological benefits of financial inclusion, emphasising its commitment to leveraging fintech for happiness and societal well-being, urging collective action for a more inclusive and prosperous Africa.

15:00 - 15:40

PANEL DISCUSSION | Upcoming Tech Talent: Equipping Young Tech Entrepreneurs

Who’s fresh on the scene, what do the new ways of working look like in light of the AI explosion and the gig and platform economy? What does collaboration, product development and innovation look like for the next generation? And what are the ways we can support them in becoming Africa’s next Elon Musk?

Lungiswa Khethelo Manager, Khayelitsha Bandwidth Barn Molehe Wesi CEO, .ZADNA

Lwandile Mxhamli Founder, Eezy Technologies Jonathan Elcock CEO & Founder at rather.chat

Alexandria Proctor Founder, DigsConnect

15:20 - 15:40 | Moderator’s Closing

19:00 - 22:00

Chipo Mushwana Executive of Emerging Innovation and Payments, Nedbank AWARDS FUNCTION

End of Day One

the confernce SCHEDULE

DAY TWO | FRIDAY 17

07:30 - 08:30 Registration & Refreshments

08:30 - 08:40

Moderator’s Welcome | Caitlin Nash, Innovation Engagement Strategist

08:40 - 08:55

Sentech Opening Address | Itumeleng Segaloe (MBA), Chief Strategy Officer, Sentech

09:00 - 09:40

PANEL DISCUSSION | Converging Broadcast and Digital Services: Opportunities and Challenges

Join us as we dive into the merging of traditional broadcasting and digital streaming services and the impact on content access. The discussion will focus on overcoming challenges like infrastructure limitations and regulations, alongside solutions for improved delivery. Finally, a case study will showcase how OTT platforms like free visionplay empower communities with education, information, and entertainment.

Kopano Thage Executive: Media Business, Sentech

Karen Thorne Station Manager, Cape Town TV

Peter Zimri Councillor, ICASA

09:40 - 09:55

TECH TALK | “My company has IP, should I have International Company Structures, now or in the future?”

Owners of Technology Companies with valuable IP face a dilemma: local or global structures? This session explores the benefits, considerations, and potential pitfalls of international structures. Learn when and how to optimise your company’s IP strategy for maximum global reach and protection.

09:55 - 10:30

Richard Dewing Founder, Venture Technology Partners

PANEL DISCUSSION | Actionable Business Insights from the Tech Titans: How to Stand Out and Scale Up your Tech Venture in Africa and Beyond

During turbulent and disruptive economic seasons many companies admit defeat andclose their doors for business. But there are some tech companies that have notably remained miles ahead of competition. What is the standout factor? How do you Scale Up and remain ahead of the crowd in a highly saturated tech market? Learn from the experts.

Alpana Goolab

Solutions Architect Leader - South Africa, Amazon Web Services

Matthew Kloos

Co-Founder & CFO, rather.chat

Manav Daby Data and AI Specialist, Google Cloud

Satish Babu

Technical Leader, IBM South Africa

10:30 - 10:45

TECH TALK | Seizing the Future: Leveraging Digital Marketing Strategies for Tangible ROI, Measurable Impact, and Unprecedented Reach in Africa’s Youthful Digital Era.

Uncover the power of Africa’s young population and how the move from traditional marketing to digital marketing is reshaping the continent. Learn how Data Driven measurement fuels success, taking your strategies from the offline world to the dominant online sphere.

11:00 - 11:30

Lunch Break | Fuel Up and Connect

Stephen A. Newton

Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Aleph Group

FUTURE-TECH IN ACTION | A SERIES OF SHORT PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS SHOWCASING THE USE OF FUTURE-TECH APPLICATIONS ACROSS KEY INDUSTRIES ON THE CONTINENT.

note

11:30 - 11:45

FIRESIDE CHAT | Beyond Earth: Enhancing Connectivity through African SpaceTech Innovation

Journey through Satellite Technology in 2024 and new innovations which highlight the diverse and cutting-edge applications of space technology in Africa’s tech scene that are improving connectivity. Witness how precision agriculture makes use of Earth Observation methodologies to inform agricultural decisions.

11:50 - 12:00

TECH DEMO | Smart City Solutions

This talk explores the tech-driven monitoring system that bridges the gap between officials and communities. This system aims to enhance urban living through technology.

12:20 - 12:30

Mobe Flenk Mnisi

Interim Chief Operations Officer, Sentech

TECH DEMO | Agri-Tech: What happens when Innovation Meets Agriculture?

Witness how precision agriculture makes use of Earth Observation methodologies to inform agricultural decisions.

12:20 - 13:30

Moses Azong Cho Chief Scientist and Research Group Leader, Precision Agriculture Research Group, CSIR

Interactive Workshops | Immersive Conversations with Practical Outcomes

Bonginkosi Keith Tshabalala CEO, QI Solutions

Workshop #1 Workshop #2

Finnovation | How is AI and Web3 Revolutionising Financial Services?

AI & Web3 are revolutionising finance, but can they empower Africa’s growth? Join the debate: will AI & Web3 unlock millions through financial inclusion, or leave them behind?

Are faster, smarter services just hype, or can AI and web3 build trust and reshape financial services for good? Let’s explore the possibilities together!

Norbert Amankwaa Adomako Communications and Africa Lead, Metis.io, Ghana

Kagiso Mothibi GM - Fintech Products and Services, MTN

Youshan Valloo CEO, The Trade Center

Devon Krantz Chief of Operations at NeoNomad and Founder of Web3 Sanctuary

Navigating Generation AI and Deepfake | Is there still space for human function in the Future of Work?

In the Future of Work addressing anxiety of AI overtaking jobs and human function is critical. Human workers need a renewed sense of job security and/or the opportunity to focus on new tasks. Which jobs open up now that AI is doing “menial work” and how can employers support “reskilling” in key areas to ensure employee indispensability.

How do we distinguish between real and deep fake?

Lavina Ramkissoon Advisor to African Union and Founder of hu da ta

Ashley Anthony CEO, Isazi Consulting and Speaker for Singularity University

Grant Hughes IT Manager: Cybersecurity & GRC, Engen

Dumisa Ngwenya Head of Research and Innovation, Sentech

Moira de Roche Vice President of IFIP and Past President of the IITPSA

14:30 - 16:00

PITCHING BATTLE | It’s time for the showdown!

7-Preselected Tech Startups will battle it out, pitching to our investor panel, delivering rapid-fire 3-minute presentations of their groundbreaking innovations followed by 5 minute Q&A’s with the panel. After deliberations our investor panel will reveal who they have unanimously picked as the Africa Tech Week 2024 Pitching Den Champion.

Kudakwashe Manzanga, CEO, The Daily Sale Shop

Cale Hollis Co-founder and CEO, Servisor

Cherith Wareley Founder, Digitisd

Goitsione Khumo Temo Percy Maphologela Founder & CEO, EquiXToken Capital

Alex ForsythThompson CEO & Founder, Float Technologies

Keletso Lekwakwe, Co-Founder and CEO, PASSWORDKID

Melian Dott

Product Development Lead, BAOM (Eco Solutions)