The second edition of the Global Tech Africa (GTA) Conference, held from July 24th -26th at the Landmark Event Center in Lagos, Nigeria, brought together over 6,000 participants, 85+ sessions, 100 + speakers, groundbreaking exhibitors, and innovative startups, showcasing the theme “Global Collaborations, Local Transformations.”
The conference featured three dynamic stages and The Deal Room:
- Epicenter Stage: Government representatives, corporations, and VVIP delegations explored opportunities and addressed challenges in Africa’s tech landscape.
- Startup Stage: Thought leaders and tech founders engaged in panels and workshops on AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and more.
- Outsource Factory Stage: In partnership with GFA Technology, Kryptr, and Jobberman is designed to empower Africa’s young talent with training workshops and outsourcing career connections.
- Deal Room: is a Global Tech Africa initiative in partnership with One Africa to implement its first edition. It was designed to connect innovative startups with potential investors, and supporting tech enterprises in Africa.
Keynote Highlights
– Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (Director General, NITDA) emphasized the government’s commitment to technological innovation for economic diversification.
– Ralph Simon (Founder, Mobilium) discussed AI’s potential for Africa’s local transformation.
– Kenise Hill (Acting Political and Economic Chief, U.S. Consulate General Lagos) highlighted US-Africa partnerships in AI development.
– Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe (Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation & Employment, Lagos State) introduced the Empower Lagos Project for youth and small-scale entrepreneurs.
– Anna Sophie Herkin (Managing Director, GIZ) focused on closing the finance gap for women entrepreneurs.
Panel Sessions and Masterclasses
The conference included panels on women empowerment, AI, fintech, agriculture, edtech, health tech, and cybersecurity. Notable sessions included:
– “Unlocking Liquidity: Catalyzing Growth Through Strategic Investments and Innovation” featuring industry leaders from Venture Garden Group, SEC Nigeria, NITDA, MoFI, Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Group, and Deloitte.
– “Empowering the Workforce: Addressing Africa’s Talent Crises (Tech Roles)” featuring experts from Career Buddy, Helium Health, Semicolon, and Alajo.
– Cosmetics meets Tech – Big Data and Analytics: Customer Insights Drive Product and Marketing featuring experts from MINCE/ XPT.
– Adapting global best practices – Shaping Nigeria’s AI policy for Africa: A legislative tracker from American Business Council, designed to give developing organisations an overview of policies and how they can contribute to it, presented by representatives of the American Business Council, Lagos Business School, PwC, and NCAIR (National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics).
– AI Training for Women in Business & Tech featuring leaders from NITDA, Simplify Synergy, Sh’Emerge, Nextwear Technologies, and Yudimy.
– Edutech Roundtable featuring experts discussing the future of learning in Africa and intellectual property rights.
Masterclasses covered topics such as machine learning, business transformation, mobile app development, data analytics, and operations management, led by professionals from Sterling Bank, GFA Technologies, Clane-Payments, Wema Bank, and Autogirl.
The Deal Room saw over 10 investors focusing on over 150 selected investees represented across 16 industries such as technology & solutions, energy & environment, food & agriculture, gaming, fashion & retail, and many others. Some of the investors include:
- USADF: which specialises in solar and climate sector companies.
- DFS Africa: Focusing on startups and post-revenue stage companies.
- Mainbridge UK: Concentrating on early-stage tech startups.
- Endeavor Nigeria: Targeting early-stage startups.
- Alithea Nigeria: Focusing on post-revenue stage companies.
- Twelve Vest: Specializing in post-revenue stage companies.
- Genius Hub Global: Investing in the creative industry.
- Solar Centric: Investing in fintech and energy sectors.
- Plug Platform: Interested in sustainable and social impact investments.
- Cocoa Ventures LLC: with an interest in startups.
Showcase and Networking
Tech companies and startups displayed their innovative products including Emerging Innovators, Chibby Dangana, founder, Data Factory, Ayomide Onasanya, co-founder, Kryptr, Oma Are, convener, AI Africa summit, and Caroline Moore, founder, Ideasmarketplace, complemented by refreshments from local brands such as Best Nigeria, Chow Noodles. The National Creativity Competition spotlighted university students’ innovative ideas, with standout projects like reusable pads from Gbemisola of the College of Nursing, Oyo.
Closing and Future Outlook
The Global Tech Africa 2024 Conference was a vibrant convergence of Africa’s brightest minds and key stakeholders in tech, facilitated by partners such as the Future Map Foundation, NITDA, the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Ascend Studios Foundation, and Venture Garden Group.
The Global Tech Africa conference underscored Africa’s digital economy’s immense potential and the collective commitment to its growth and development.
