C-Level speakers representing Africa's technology and telecommunication industries are expected to attend the inaugural TMT Finance Africa Conference scheduled for 20 September in Lagos.

Standard Bank and TMT Finance will host the event and the Bank has predicted an increase in M&A activity within the continent's telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) sectors

Standard Bank's Global Head of TMT, Nina Triantis said, "Investment and M&A in TMT continues to be especially active in Africa, with many companies across the continent considering strategic options, growth along diverse verticals, private debt and equity financing rounds, M&A, and public listings. The debt markets continue to be supportive for the right companies in Africa, despite macro challenges in many African countries as well as global uncertainty, though the funding currency and medium will inevitably reflect these challenges."

According to event organisers this is a time of accelerated investment, innovation and M&A activity across Africa and in particular Nigeria.

"Lagos widely viewed as the central hub for technology innovation and investment in Africa," they say.

Standard Bank and TMT Finance make reference to several deals in Africa, specifically MTN's Nigerian IPO, the sale of South Africa's Neotel to Liquid Telecom, Millicom's strategic review of its African assets, several fibre investment projects and fundraisings, and the potential listing/ sale of Nigerian fintech firm, InterSwitch.

Themes listed on the event's agenda include telecom leadership in Africa, broadband infrastructure investment, digital Africa, mobile infrastructure strategies, Mergers & Acquisitions, as well as broadband infrastructure, mobile data and service investment.