26 Aug 2014, Hong Kong: The GSMA today announced the first keynote speakers for the Mobile 360 Series-Africa conference, including executives from organisations such as the Alliance for Affordable Internet, Econet Zimbabwe, Facebook, inVenture, Lumos, MTN Group, Opera Software, Safaricom, Samsung and Standard Bank. Mobile 360-Africa will take place 5-7 November at the Clock Tower Conference Centre in Cape Town and will comprise keynote addresses and panel sessions to prompt audience interaction and discussion. In addition to the main conference, Mobile 360-Africa will incorporate additional programmes that highlight the initiatives and activities undertaken by the GSMA Mobile for Development organisation, as well workshops focusing on key policy and regulatory issues for the region.
“Mobile connectivity is already playing a key role in inclusion of the underserved in many African countries and Mobile 360-Africa will convene key stakeholders to examine the practical steps which can be taken to help overcome critical roadblocks in technology, governance, business models and investment,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Sub-Saharan Africa’s unique mobile subscriber base has grown by 18 per cent annually over the last five years, making it the fastest growing region globally and we are looking forward to celebrating this dynamic and diverse market through a great agenda supported by C-level speakers from across this exciting region.”
At Mobile 360-Africa, CEOs and senior executives from leading mobile companies and from throughout the digital ecosystem, will address the most pressing trends and issues in mobile through a series of visionary keynote presentations, thought-provoking interviews and interactive panel sessions. They will examine how the continued adoption of mobile technologies and services will propel the further growth of the African economy and deliver the full benefits of digital and financial inclusion to citizens. The keynotes and sessions will delve into subjects such as “Broadening Digital and Financial Inclusion”, “Delivering Affordable Access to the People of Africa”, “Enabling a Digital Economy” and “Empowering the Digital Citizen”.
Speakers confirmed to present at Mobile 360-Africa include:
Ciaran Bradley, Senior Vice President Solutions and Innovation, Adaptive Mobile
Dr. Sonia Jorge, Executive Director, Alliance for Affordable Internet
Christine Ampaire, Chief Executive Officer, CodeSync and Co-Founder, Girl Geek
Douglas Mboweni, Chief Executive Officer, Econet Zimbabwe
Nicola D'Elia, Head of Growth - Africa, Facebook
Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA
Dr. Assaad Jabre, Mobile for Development Ambassador and former CEO, IFC
Shivani Siroya, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, inVenture
Dr. Fred Okeng’o Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, Kenya
Davidi Vortman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Lumos
Gerard Brandjes, Vice President, South and East Africa, Microsoft Mobile Devices
Sifiso Dabengwa, Group Chief Executive Officer, MTN Group
Peter Panait L?jmand, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Opera Software
Steve Vosloo, Head of Mobile, Pearson South Africa
Nzioka Waita, Corporate Affairs Director, Safaricom
George Ferreira, Vice President and Chief Operation Officer, Samsung Electronics Africa
Nina Triantis, Head of TMT, Standard Bank
Ryan Sher, Chief Operations Officer, WIOCC