- Global tech giants are meeting in Marrakech in May for the GITEX Africa expo as they seek a slice digital economy in the continent.
- Investors will be keen on learning tech advances in digital health, finance, AI consumer tech, cloud and IoT, as well as cybersecurity among others.
- GITEX Africa is organised by KAOUN International, an affiliate of Dubai World Trade Centre, which also organises GITEX GLOBAL show in the UAE.
This year, thousands of investors and entrepreneurs are converging in Marrakech, Morocco, for GITEX Africa, a signature tech and start-up expo that is poised to define the next phase of the continent’s digital economy.
The show, now in its second edition, comes under the Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco. GITEX Africa, which is scheduled from 29-31 May 2024, is organised under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform and hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD).
Already, the organisers say that GITEX 2024 is drawing global interest, with thousands of participants seeking to explore a diverse range of trends in technology that are powering the continent’s digital economy.
Organisers say that GITEX Africa 2024 is poised to host thousands of attendees from the continent keen on large-scale discourse and striking future-focused business ties.
At the same time, investors will be keen on accelerating tech’s advances across diverse industries. Top on the target are innovations in digital health, finance, consumer tech, cloud and IoT, cybersecurity, telecoms, as well as trends in the fast-evolving artificial intelligence realm.
When Dr Ghita Mezzour, the Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition met with organisers in Morocco, he said: “The success of the 1st edition of GITEX Africa Morocco highlights our continent’s enthusiastic embrace of the digital revolution and Morocco’s commitment to strengthen South-South cooperation in the digital field, as well as its contribution to the international promotion of the African continent in accordance with the High Royal Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him.”
“Our ambitions are growing as we look ahead to the 2nd edition in the beautiful city of Marrakech. We’re excited about making GITEX Africa Morocco even more remarkable and look forward to hosting a diverse and impactful African and international tech presence.”
Mr. Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the General Director of ADD, added: “The Kingdom of Morocco successfully hosted the first edition of GITEX Africa Morocco in 2023, which showcased Africa as an emergent continent in the digital economy. The 2nd edition in 2024 is another opportunity to enhance and support Africa’s digital transformation progress and boost the competitiveness of the continent’s digital ecosystems.”
GITEX Africa 2024: Accelerating continent’s digital health systems
“The global community is experiencing the growing energy, curiosity and demand for digital advancement from Africa which is outpacing that of matured developed continents,” explains Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, organiser of GITEX Africa and World Future Health Africa.
Trixie adds: “This sequel of GITEX Africa this year follows the upbeat trend of tech discovery we created last year in its inaugural edition.
According to the organisers, the depth of the tech showcase, including the evolving trends in AI society and business at GITEX Africa shall be an eye-opening experience. It is expected to foster great knowledge sharing while also opening public-private sector collaboration opportunities on a global scale.
GITEX Africa is usually organised by KAOUN International, which is an arm of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) that puts together GITEX GLOBAL conference in the UAE.
This year’s debut of the World Future Health Africa in the GITEX Africa 2024 show is poised to accelerate the continent’s growing tech-fueled digital health revolution.
World Future Health Africa is held under the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Public Administration Reform, the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Digital Development Agency.
(Source: GITEX Africa)
Expo set to intensify cross-continental tech competition
GITEX Africa 2024 is also set to play host to returning exhibitors after a successful participation during the show’s first edition last year. Tech titans Epson, Honeywell, Kaspersky, and Lexar are readying to showcase innovations, and industry collaborations that are powering a tech-enabled African investment environment.
Epson Europe and the Middle East Vice President Neil Colquhoun, said: “Epson’s technology offering will focus primarily on a range of sustainable, energy-efficient solutions and products that address the pressing concerns of many industrial sectors, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.”
Presight, a data analytics firm that rides on generative AI, and part of G42, a pioneer in creating visionary AI, will be pitching tent in GITEX Africa 2024: “Africa has been our focus; it’s the newly emerging continent for the digital workforce and digital transformation,” said company CEO Thomas Pramotedham.
“Presight has multiple digital transformation programmes with several African governments, and in 2024, we aim to contribute even more to the continent’s thriving tech ecosystem. Our goal is to make a positive societal impact using our big data analytics capabilities powered by generative AI. With GITEX Africa playing a key role, we’re excited to be part of discussions shaping the continent’s digital transformation journey.”
Cybersecurity company, Kaspersky’s head France and North, Central and West Africa, Mr Bertrand Trastour, noted that, “GITEX Africa is a very important platform for Kaspersky as it allows us to inform our customers and partners about our growth strategy and potential.
“Digitalisation is a high priority in African markets, and cybersecurity is the foundation for this successful transformation. Kaspersky provides the most comprehensive cybersecurity for the growth of our customers’ businesses, regardless of their sector, scenario or assets.”
Ground-breaking innovations from Morrocco
Key Moroccan companies that are driving tech and innovation across the region will be making a return to GITEX Africa 2024. These firms include Maroc Data Centre, Zen Networks, Dataprotect, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), which is the expo’s official R&D provider.
“UM6P transcends the traditional boundaries of R&D, embodying a powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurship for Africa and beyond,” said Yassine Laghzioui, CEO of UM6P Ventures and Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing at UM6P.
“We are excited to elevate our role at GITEX Africa, not merely as a leading R&D collaborator but as a beacon of innovation. Our partnership with GITEX Africa underscores our dedication to driving progress in science, technology, and investment realms.
Added Laghzioui: “We aim to nurture and scale DeepTech ventures across Africa through our targeted entrepreneurship and venturing programs, moving beyond Morocco’s borders. GITEX Africa offers an unparalleled opportunity for UM6P to forge strategic partnerships, showcasing our ground-breaking initiatives in diverse sectors such as HealthTech, BioTech, AgriTech, and GreenTech. These efforts stem from UM6P’s innovation labs and our extended ecosystem, poised to tackle the continent’s pressing challenges.”
Read also: Startups scaling Africa’s digital agricultural innovation seek fresh financing
North Star Africa start-up expo
Additionally, GITEX Africa 2024 is expected to feature a North Star Africa start-up expo segment, that is billed to attract the largest curation of award-winning start-ups and scale-ups ever seen in Africa.
Here, investors and founders are poised to meet with global venture investors and accelerator entities, opening opportunities to scale. Overall, Africa is tipped to attract $10 billion in venture capital by next year.
North Star Africa is expanding its reach gobally, energising entrepreneurs to seek a hand up in the race to realise the next unicorns that help solve some of Africa’s pressing problems.
What’s more, at the Supernova Challenge, investors will be competing for honours, with six categories of competition set to see a total prize of $100,000 shared.
