Innovation Africa Digital Summit (Postponed) – Old

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has been selected as the location for the 18th annual IAD Summit.

IAD 2020 acknowledges the fact that Africa is a diverse continent of nations at different stages of ICT maturity. ICT maturity rankings are a measurement for how well a country is progressing and a benchmark for how they are performing alongside their neighbours.

IAD 2020 will be attended by Policy Makers, Regulators, Service Providers and Major End Users from across Africa along with carefully selected solution providers, investors and consultants who can address the challenges and support the development of National Agendas with Infrastructure, Value Added Services, Strategy Guidance, Investment and Business partnership.

We are pleased to return to Ethiopia for the fourth time of hosting the IAD Summit in 2020. This is an exciting time of growth and development in Ethiopia with Market Liberalisation

Sponsors

Host Partner

Ministry of Innovation and Technology

Our vision is to Ethiopia entrench the capacities which enable rapid learning, adaptation and utilization of effective foreign technologies …

Headline Sponsor

MTN

We’re committed to inspiring and enabling growth by leading the charge towards a bold, new digital world …

Conference Programme Sponsor

Mastercard

Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry …

Etisalat

Emirates Telecommunication Group Company PJSC, branded trade name Etisalat, is a multinational Emirati based telecommunications services provider, currently operating in 15 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa …

Orange

We invest 1 billion euros every year in Africa and Middle East, putting Orange at the forefront of the digital transformation. 4G is now available in 15 countries in Africa and the Middle-East, with 16.7 million customers at the end of 2018…

Vodacom

Vodacom is a leading African communications company providing a wide range of communication services, including mobile voice, messaging, data, financial and converged services to over 117 million (including Safaricom) customers….

World Telecom Labs

World Telecom Labs is a multi-award winning supplier of mobile network infrastructure. Focussing Small-Cell solutions, VoIP & SMS switches we have an installed base in 30+ countries in Africa …

Wingu.africa

wingu.africa is a privately owned and managed specialist data group, backed by well-established and regarded institutional investors with deep knowledge and experience in Africa and the ICT sector …

Thuraya

Thuraya, is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of Yahsat, a leading global satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) …

Seacom

SEACOM launched Africa’s first broadband submarine cable system along the continent’s Eastern and Southern coasts in 2009 …

Nokia

We create the technology to connect the world …

Network International

Network International is the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle
East and Africa (MEA) region, the world’s most underpenetrated payments markets …

NuRan Wireless

NuRAN Wireless, with its wholly owned subsidiary Nutaq Innovation, is a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless solutions …

ZTE

ZTE Corporation is a global leader in telecommunications and information technology. Founded in 1985 and listed on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges …

Intelsat

Intelsat operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world …

Infobip

Infobip powers enterprises to deliver messages across any channel, any device, at anytime and anywhere worldwide …

IE Networks

E Networks is fully Ethiopian owned company with deep focus on technology with a service-oriented approach since December 2008 G.C …

Hughes

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in broadband satellite technology and services for home and office …

HIP Consult

HIP Consult Inc. is a US-based management consultancy with a specialization in information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly in emerging markets …

Ceragon

Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: CRNT) is the #1 wireless backhaul specialist. We help operators and other service providers worldwide increase operational efficiency and enhance end customers’ quality of experience with innovative wireless backhaul solutions …

Camusat

Camusat Group is a key player in telecom network roll out. Our expert teams can design, build, power and manage telecom infrastructures anywhere in the world …

BICS

Our HQ is in Brussels, with offices across Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Americas …

Apiro Data

At Apiro Data we connect people, places and things through our End2End Internet of Things (IoT) platform, Infinity Core and our partner ecosystem …

Airbus

Airbus is one of the world’s leading aerospace and defense companies …

Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations …

Helios Towers

Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications tower infrastructure company in Africa, having established one of the continent’s most extensive tower portfolio with over 6,800 towers across five countries…

Speakers

Aminata Ndiaye

Orange

VP of Marketing, Digital & Customer Experience MEA

Rachel Njiru

Infobip

Director Operator Partnerships Africa

Jean le Bel

Blue Ocean Group

Owner

Philipp Zindler

Deloitte Consulting

TMT Digital Leader

Anthony Voscarides

Djibouti Data Center S.A.R.L

CEO

Roen Menezes

Africa & South Africa

Regional Director

Phrase Lubega

Mobile Financial Services MTN Group

General Manager Commercial

Jean Bosco Iyacu

Access to Finance Rwanda

Director of Programs

Shashi Parvat

Zrupee

Co-Founder & CEO

Kamal Shehadi

Etisalat

Chief Legal and Regulatory Affair Officer

Naoll Merdassa

U.S. Bank

AVP, Technology Architect Sr

Zweder Wurfbain

Nedamco

Ethiopia Head

Meried Bekele

IE Network Solutions PLC

CEO

Balcha Reba

Ethiopian Communications Authority

Director General

Kash Pandya

Helios Towers

CEO

Camilo Balzan

Ceragon

VP Sales Africa

Simon Gray

Eutelsat

Senior Vice President Humanitarian Affairs

Ben Cheick Haidara

Orange

CEO Berkino Faso

Dr Tim Kelly

World Bank

Lead ICT Policy Specialist

Abdessattar Sassi

ZTE

Chief Strategist Middle East & Africa

Pieter Van der Westhuizen

MTN Group

General Manager: Regional CTIO (SEAGha)

Alioune Ndiaye

Orange

CEO MEA

Hans Geldenhuys

Intelsat

Managing Sales Director Africa

Gregory Pedersen

Airbus

Regional Sales Director

Navindran Naidoo

MTN

Executive: Network Design & Planning

Judah Levine

HIP Consult

CEO

James Gachie

Infobip

Senior Sales Manager

Satya Mekala

World Telecom Labs

Director

Bradley Shaw

NuRan

Regional Manager

Prakhar Vashisht

Hughes

Senior Manager

Hatem Dowidar

Etisalat International

CEO

Yolanda Cuba

MTN

Chief Digital and Fintech Officer

Habib Seck

Orange

Ethiopia Representative

Agenda

Day 1

08:00

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

10:30

NETWORKING BREAK

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]PHOTO OPPORTUNITY[/expander_maker]

10:45

AFRICA ATTRACTIVENESS

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]In the past year we have seen some countries struggle to attract interest in new licences and privatisation of incumbent operators where, as we are well aware, Ethiopia is seeing a great deal of interest from the international community. We are seeing some countries where laying fibre and investing in 5G is attracting a ‘feeding frenzy’ from international companies where others are failing to attract investors. We want to hear from the continent’s biggest operators to get an insight into what they find attractive and to advise those currently less attractive markets, on how they can turn things around and encourage international interest.
 
What must a country do to attract investment from the big players
We are seeing many countries across Africa looking to attract the big Telco players to set up operations with new license opportunities and share ownership in incumbent operators. What do countries need to do in order to attract these big players into their market. Is it only down to market size? Can smaller countries make themselves more attractive to investors?
 
TBC – (Moderator) TBC
Habib Seck – Orange Ethiopia Representative Office Director, Orange
Yolanda Cuba – Chief Digital and Fintech Officer, MTN
TBC – Vodacom – TBC
Hatem Dowidar – CEO – Etisalat International, Etisalat
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12:00

DIGITAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

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Requirements, Objectives and Opportunities for Capacity Building
 
TBC – Sub-Saharan Africa Division President – Mastercard[/expander_maker]

12:15

NOKIA – KEYNOTE

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]VP Africa – Nokia Networks[/expander_maker]

12:30

SOLUTION SHOWCASES

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Presentations Short presentations from attending vendors and solution providers, showcasing solutions
 
Infobip – James Gachie – Senior Sales Manager
Hughes – Prakhar Vashisht – Senior Manager
NuRan Wireless – Bradley Shaw – Regional Manager
World Telecom Labs – Satya Mekala Director
IE Network Solutions – PLC Meried Bekele – CEO
Websprix – TBC
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12:45

CEO Ethiopia – Huawei

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Welcome to Lunch[/expander_maker]

12:50

NETWORKING LUNCH

14:00

PRACTICAL STEPS FOR IMPROVING NETWORK COVERAGE

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Internet penetration across Africa varies by region with 49% in North Africa, 39% in West Africa, 12% Central Africa, 27% East Africa and 51% in Southern Africa. Mobile phone subscriber penetration is at around 44% where the global average is around 66%. Network coverage is one of the reasons that these numbers are not better. We understand there needs to be a return on investment where operators are concerned but how can infrastructure sharing, satellite, opex business models, service diversification and government interventions support the expansion of networks into low income and sparsely populated areas.
 
‘How To’ improve network coverage and meet quality of service KPIs
What can Satelite do to improve network coverage in areas where fibre can’t reach and microwave is impractical? And how is it addressing the age old concern of affordability? Can low cost networks designed for affordability at low volume usage levels handle quality of service challenges? How can we ensure a quality connection on moving vehicles in low coverage areas and how do we address device/ network compatibility?
 
(Moderator) Judah Levine – CEO – Hip Consult
Navindran Naidoo – Executive: Network Design & Planning – MTN
Gregory Pedersen – Regional Sales Director – Airbus
Hans Geldenhuys – Managing Sales Director Africa – Intelsat
TBC
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14:45

FROM URBAN 5G TO RURAL BROADBAND

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Justifications for Universal Broadband and 5G in Africa
Read the news and you see new items on 5G in Africa on a daily basis. Is 5G a viable reality and a genuine opportunity which regulators should be enabling with effective spectrum policy? Is broadband really necessary in rural Africa where no connectivity at all exists at the moment? Can operators be convinced to make investments into broadband infrastructure in areas where ARPU is surely going to be low and ROI small?
 
Alioune Ndiaye – CEO MEA – Orange
Pieter Van der Westhuizen – General Manager: Regional CTIO (SEAGha) – MTN Group
Abdessattar Sassi – Chief Strategist Middle East & Africa – ZTE
TBC – Liquid Telecom
TBC – Vodacom
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16:10

NETWORKING BREAK

16:35

PRACTICAL STEPS FOR COST REDUCTION

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]‘How to’ reduce the cost of access and make ICT more accessible
According to the Alliance For Affordable Internet (A4AI) affordable internet is where 1GB of data is priced at 2% or less of average income in a country. Few countries globally meet this criteria so what are the practical steps that can be taken to achieve this goal. Is it a technology, service or policy issue? And who is responsible for ensuring the goal is reached?
 
(Moderator) Tim Kelly – Lead ICT Policy Specialist – World Bank
Ben Cheick Haidara – CEO Berkino Faso – Orange
Simon Grey – Senior Vice President Humanitarian Affairs – Eutelsat
Camilo Balzan – VP Sales Africa – Ceragon
TBC – TBC – China Mobile
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17:15

Keynote “What can Independent TowerCos Bring to Ethiopia? “

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Kash Pandya – CEO – Helios Towers[/expander_maker]

Day 2

08:00 – 10:00

VIP Breakfast Briefing | Regulatory Round Table

09:30

NETWORKING

10:00

FINTECH AS A DRIVER FOR GROWTH

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]How does Fintech encourage Network Coverage?
When operators have the opportunity to include Fintech services in their service offering, ARPU is raised and the justification for connecting rural areas becomes more viable, In some cases, revenues from Fintech services can reach as much as 45% of an operator’s revenues. What are the Fintech services being offered by service providers and how does this affect the traditional financial sector players? How do Fintech services support wider National GDP?
 
(Moderator) Coverage/Country Business Manager for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Burundi Citi
TBC Vodacom
TBC Mastercard
Naoll Merdassa – AVP, Technology Architect Sr – U.S. Bank
TBA
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10:45

Keynote

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]TBA[/expander_maker]

11:00

ETISALAT

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Kamal Shehadi – Chief Legal and Regulatory Affair Officer – Etisalat[/expander_maker]

11:15

NETWORKING BREAK

11:45

FINANCIAL INCLUSION

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Supporting access to ICT through financial innovations – Micropayments, Digital Wallets, Carrier Billing etc.
How is Financial inclusion supporting economic transformation in Africa? How important is it to enabling access to ICT services? How big an impact on a country’s economy is the development of a fintech industry? What can governments do to support and accelerate financial inclusion?
 
(Moderator) Shashi Parvat – Co-Founder & CEO – Zrupee
Jean Bosco Iyacu – Director of Programs – Access to Finance Rwanda
TBC – Managing Partner – Boston Consulting Group
Phrase Lubega – General Manager Commercial, Mobile Financial Services MTN Group
TBC – VISA
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12:30

SAFE PLACES

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Creating safe ICT environments with secure infrastructure and services
As we drive ICT uptake across all sectors, encourage fintech and adopt IoT, it is essential that the environments we build are safe and secure. What is being done to ensure the future ICT landscape is not exposed to malicious intent and what steps can we take ourselves?
 
(Moderator) TBC
Prakhar Vashisht Senior Manager – SSA Hughes Network Systems
Roen Menezes Regional Director – Africa & South Asia – Thuraya
Anthony Voscarides – CEO – Djibouti Data Center S.A.R.L
TBC – Sales Director AdaptiveMobile
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13:15

NETWORKING LUNCH

14:30

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Improving customer services and engagement through ICT
Acquiring a new customer is five times as expensive as retaining an existing customer and yet, most marketing dollars are spent on trying to acquire new customers! There is a 60-70% probability of selling to an existing customer vs. 5-20% probability of selling to a new customer! How can Metrics like Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) and solutions like Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Delight help you to improve your customer retention?
 
(Moderator) Philipp Zindler TMT Digital Leader Deloitte Consulting
Jean le Bel Ngopnang Jouenang – Owner – Associate – Blue Ocean Group
Rachel Njiru – Director Operator Partnerships Africa – Infobip
Aminata Ndiaye – VP of Marketing, Digital & Customer Experience MEA – Orange
TBC TBC Syniverse
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15:15

EVERYTHING AS A SERVICE

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Focussing on core business
The ‘As a Service ‘ business model is helping operators and service providers to expand network coverage without CAPEX and product portfolios, without investing in equipment that quickly becomes outdated. ‘As a Service’ solutions spread CAPEX costs across multiple users and requires a change of mindset. Where physical assets were once considered essential to financial strength, companies are now seeing agility as an asset in the fast paced and ever changing ICT sector.
 
(Moderator) TBC Senior Consultant, Africa – Accenture
TBC CFO Helios Towers
Anthony Voscarides – CEO – wingu.africa
TBC TBC Mavenir
TBC
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16:00

NETWORKING BREAK

16:30

AFRICA RISING

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]SNational Agenda Reviews –Countries across Africa are measured against affordability, access and engagement in ICT. In this closing session of IAD 2020 we will hear from some of the countries putting ICT at the centre of their development strategy as they share their experience and aspirations for improving their ICT maturity ranking.
 
(Moderator) TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
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17:00

CLOSING CEREMONY

[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]MTN
Mastercard
Extensia
Mint
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