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5G Summit: Emerging Use-Cases for Africa – full recording from MWC23 Kigali

5G Summit: Emerging Use-Cases for Africa - Full recording from MWC23 Kigali

Commercial 5G services have now expanded to every corner of the globe, transforming it into a truly global technology. As of September 2023, a total of 297 operators across 100 markets have launched 5G mobile services. By the end of this year, the number of 5G connections worldwide is expected to reach a staggering 1.5 billion, representing 17% of all mobile connections. Furthermore, 5G networks will cover over a third of the world’s population.

In Africa, the journey towards 5G is gaining momentum. Recent 5G network launches in Nigeria and Mozambique by Airtel and Vodacom, as well as 5G spectrum auctions in Namibia, Senegal, and Uganda, showcase the continent’s growing interest in this transformative technology. Currently, there are 27 5G operators in 16 African markets, and many more are expected to join in the coming months and years as governments and other stakeholders harness 5G to address some of society’s most pressing challenges. Hosted by GSMA Intelligence, the 5G Summit at MWC Kigali served as the premier platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas regarding efficient network deployment, innovative applications, and forward-looking regulations to drive 5G rollout and adoption.

In 2023, this summit brought together leaders and professionals from government, the mobile industry, and adjacent verticals. They shared their visions and expectations for the 5G era, making bold commitments towards realising 5G’s potential in Africa. The event featured insightful keynotes, engaging panel discussions, 5G showcases, and numerous networking opportunities.

Our distinguished speakers at the 2023 5G Summit included:

• Kenechi Okeleke, Director at GSMA Intelligence
• Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA
• Hassan Jaber, Chief Operating Officer, MTN
• Jocelyn Karakula, Network and Information Technology Director, Orange
• Li Tao, President of Huawei Southern Africa Wireless Business, Huawei
• Jidia Gasana, Enterprise Director, Airtel
• Philip Besiimire, Managing Director, Vodacom Tanzania Plc
• Frehiwot Tamru, CEO ethio telecom
• Jean Philbert Nsengimana (Phil), Chief Digital Advisor, Africa CDC
• Axel Hansmann, Director of Industrial IoT Security, Rohde & Schwarz
• Caroline Kamaitha, Vice President Africa, Enterprise & Cloud, SES Satellites
• Amir Abdelazim, Expert Partner, Detecon International
• Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President, International Government Affairs, Qualcomm
• Léandre Berwa, Chief Executive Officer, SLS Energy
• Afef Boulares, Manager Orange Fab
• Geofrey Mutabazi, Co-Founder and CEO, Karaa Africa

We also extend our thanks to our sponsors, Detecon International, Huawei, SES Satellites, Rohde & Schwarz, and Qualcomm, for their invaluable support in making this event a resounding success.