Tech titans and industry experts are descending to Rwanda this week for MWC Kigali 2025, as Africa's mobile market is expected to reach 700 million unique customers by the end of the decade.
The GSMA will host an event from October 21 to 23 at the Kigali Convention Centre, which will be launched tomorrow by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, to explore ways to consolidate Africa's growing role in the global digital economy.
The event comes just days after MTN became the first African mobile operator to reach 300 million subscribers, highlighting the scale and pace of Africa's connectivity revolution.
The result highlights both the continent's potential and the importance of reducing the chronic usage gap, which keeps millions offline despite widespread coverage.
MTN Group president and CEO Ralph Mupita, who will be one of the keynote speakers, with his topic Africa’s Future First, Determining the Path to a Digital Future, said the history-making milestone marks more than just growth in numbers.
“It’s about digital and financial inclusion that ensures every African can access the benefits of connectivity. Our vision remains clear: to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress,” he said.
Mupita’s participation reinforces MTN’s position at the heart of Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
The continent’s number one mobile operator will showcase its MoMo, Bayobab, and Chenosis platforms at an immersive stand designed to demonstrate how digital ecosystems are driving financial inclusion, developer innovation, and infrastructure growth.
The telco giant will also highlight its Skills Academy, which has already attracted over 228 000 learners across the continent.
Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA, stressed that this year’s MWC Kigali is about unlocking Africa’s next growth frontier. “With mobile penetration deepening and technologies like 5G and AI taking root, Africa is ready to shape its own digital destiny,” he stated
In collaboration with Ericsson, MTN will also demonstrate 5G-enabled applications, including augmented reality learning tools, a robotic inspection dog, and neural gesture-controlled smart glasses, showcasing how advanced connectivity can redefine industry efficiency and accessibility.
Badrinath also emphasised that as President Kagame officially opens the summit, Rwanda once again positions itself as Africa’s innovation capital. “This is a fitting stage for the continent’s most important tech dialogue of the year,” he said.
Share
