Kenya has expressed interest in hosting a flagship technology event under the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) series.
This is an extension of the government’s efforts to position the capital, Nairobi, as Africa’s next global technology hub.
John Tanui, principal secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communications and the digital Economy, met Angela Wamola, head of Sub-Saharan Africa at GSMA, to explore the possibility of establishing such an event.
Caroline Mbugua, GSMA director of public policy and communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, and John Giusti, GSMA chief regulatory officer, also participated.
“Nairobi is uniquely positioned to become Africa’s next global technology hub, and partnerships with organisations such as GSMA will be instrumental in realising this vision,” said Tanui.
“Such an event would bring together governments, global technology companies, investors, development partners, innovators, start-ups, academia and policymakers to converge, connect, collaborate and co-create solutions that address regional and global challenges while unlocking new economic opportunities.”
GSMA organises numerous annual events under the Mobile World Congress (MWC), Mobile 360, as well as specialised summits and working groups.
Rwanda has hosted the most GSMA events on the continent, including MWC Africa and Mobile 360 Africa between 2018 and 2023, establishing Kigali as the primary hub for its continental connectivity summits.
South Africa and Tanzania have also hosted such events, but fewer than Rwanda.
Kenya aims to leverage its growing digital ecosystem, vibrant innovation landscape and strategic position as Africa’s gateway for technology and investment to host such a globally recognised GSMA platform.
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