Africa Tech Festival 2024 showcases women tech, telecom leaders

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – When the 27th edition of the Africa Tech Festival kicks off on November 12, 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, the spotlight will be on the exceptional women shaping the future of technology and telecom in Africa.

With August marking the celebration of Women's Month in the host country, the event will proudly showcase many of the women leaders who are driving growth and innovation across the sector.

Taking place from November 12 to 14, Africa Tech Festival 2024 incorporates AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite and The AI Summit Cape Town, which will welcome a cumulative 15,000 visitors, more than 400 speakers, and over 300 exhibitors as it explores enterprise tech innovation and disruption across key sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, cloud and data centers, and green ICT.

As the continent's leading platform for technology innovators, specialists, and thought leaders, Africa Tech Festival 2024's agenda includes several prominent female leaders who are making a significant contribution to the industry.

Their expertise and insights will provide invaluable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Key speakers include:

Faith Burn, Chief Information Officer, Energy and Utilities, Eskom Holdings SOC

Nollie Maoto, Compliance Chief Data and Analytics Officer, FNB

Kerissa Varma, CISO, Vodacom Group

Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne

Mary Mahuma, CIO, Southern Africa, Philip Morris

Motunrayo Opayinka, Founder and CEO, Womenovate

"Africa Tech Festival provides the continent's tech ecosystems with a unique platform from which to collaborate and drive positive change. Building a more inclusive, sustainable world means uniting the world's most inspirational founders, business leaders, policymakers, investors, and rising stars, so we are delighted to see so many inspirational female tech executives featured in this year's speaker line-up. As we celebrate Women's Month, we look forward to their unique insights and contributions," said Informa's James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.

Female leaders front and center

Organizers are confident that the presence of these female industry leaders at Africa Tech Festival will provide impetus to efforts by the industry to be more inclusive, highlighting the opportunities available to women in various sectors, providing insights for women wishing to embark on tech and telecom careers, and showcasing the successes and contributions of women making their mark within the industry.

Africa Tech Festival's 2024 agenda includes several prominent female leaders who are making a significant contribution to the industry. (Source: Africa Tech Festival)

"Events such as Africa Tech Festival provide a platform for women to network and to gain exposure to more accomplished women in tech. These role models provide inspiration to women starting out in their careers that they can break the glass ceiling," said Funke Opeke, CEO of MainOne.

Opeke will be participating in the "Big Tech and Telcos: Collaborating on Digital Infrastructure Investment" keynote panel.

"As a female industry leader, I see mentorship as a necessary reminder of our social responsibility to be empathetic, driven, inclusive, and resilient leaders. I am fortunate to have a female mentor who has significantly influenced my leadership style, thinking, and understanding of corporate dynamics and culture," added Mary Mahuma, CIO for Southern Africa at Philip Morris.

Mahuma will be a panelist on the "Nurturing Talent and Bridging Skills Gap: Building a Future-Ready Workforce in the Age of AI" panel.

"Women's contributions are significantly transforming the telecoms and technology landscape in Africa through innovation, leadership, and advocacy. Their contributions are not only advancing the industry but also driving social and economic development across the continent. By fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and advocating for inclusive policies, these women are transforming the tech landscape in Africa," added Womenovate Founder and CEO Motunrayo Opayinka.

Opayinka will share her insights on the "Educational Equity Through AI: Tools for Advancing Education in Underserved Areas" panel.

In addition, EQL:LOUNGE creates a space for women in tech to connect directly, and engage in meaningful dialogue, with high-caliber speakers in intimate settings hosting panel discussions, keynote addresses, and fireside chats.

Taking place the evening before the event opens, InspiringFifty Africa is a prestigious awards ceremony focusing on recognizing the top fifty women making significant strides within the African tech ecosystem.

Register now to secure your spot and join us in shaping the future of technology in Africa.

In a special Women's Day offer, Africa Tech Festival is offering a 15% discount on Platinum Passes until midnight on August 16. Passes can be purchased via this link, using the code NWD15.

*Connecting Africa is an official media partner for Africa Tech Festival.

Africa Tech Festival