MWC Kigali 2023

Tuesday, 13:15 – 14:15

Agritech innovations play a pivotal role in delivering smallholder-focused agricultural transformation in Africa. Yet, the agritech sector remains fragmented, hindering progress. Limited partnerships and investments hamper the growth of digital agriculture initiatives and create barriers to inclusive access for smallholder farmers. Addressing these challenges requires a deeper understanding of emerging trends, investor priorities, and the factors that influence investment decisions in digital agriculture.

In this session, we will examine the critical role of agritech investing in the expansion of the digital agriculture ecosystem. We will explore current investment trends, unveiling valuable insights into what drives investors’ focus, and examine the fundraising efforts of digital agriculture innovators. Join us to learn more about how to build a stronger and more impactful digital agriculture sector in the region.

Tuesday, 15:00 – 16:00

Join us to hear the latest insights from the State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2023. We will be sharing data on mobile internet coverage, usage and gender gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa, along with insights on the barriers that are preventing people from accessing and using mobile internet. You will also hear from our partners as they reflect on the findings and share their strategies to get more people online.
Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced continual improvement in mobile broadband penetration and as such the coverage gap has steadily reduced year on year. The majority of the unconnected live in areas covered by a mobile broadband network and face other barriers that are preventing them from going online. The unconnected are also disproportionately women, rural, poorer and less educated. This session will explore what can be done to drive increased digital inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa and ensure everyone has the opportunity to benefit from mobile internet connectivity.

Tuesday, 16:30 – 17:30

In Africa, increasing internet penetration, the steady rise in mobile phone adoption and the growth of mobile money, present an opportunity for micro and small enterprises to expand their businesses. New opportunities are emerging for entrepreneurs to increase their profitability and become more resilient. Join us to hear the findings from two new research studies by GSMA Mobile for Development on the use of mobile and on the adoption of e-commerce by micro and small entrepreneurs in Africa. You will also hear from industry experts on the outlook for e-commerce in the region and about opportunities to foster the digitalisation of micro-entrepreneurs, including women-led businesses.

Wednesday, 11:30 – 12:45

When mobile network operators (MNOs) and humanitarian practitioners work together, their unique core competencies and expertise can improve the coordination, effectiveness, and outcomes in humanitarian action. Humanitarian challenges such as natural hazard disasters, food insecurity, and forced displacement are on the rise and ever prevalent in East Africa. Long-term strategic partnerships between MNOs and humanitarian actors provide sustainable solutions that deliver critical assistance to those in need. Hear how GSMA members and partners in the region are working together to address humanitarian challenges.

Wednesday, 14:00 – 15:15

Since 2013, in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other donors, the GSMA has supported more than 130 organisations with equity-free grant funding to test and scale innovative digital technologies and business models that boost local ecosystems, improve livelihoods and drive prosperity. Several of these have scaled over the years, whether through expansion, additional follow-on funding or strategic partnerships.

The scaling journeys of these business and projects have generated important lessons about raising follow-on funding, including that there are several pathways to scale, and that the fundraising journey is a useful way to measure and track scale in low- and middle-income countries.
This theatre session will share more on the principles identified through our analysis of the scaling journey of 21 of our past grantees, with speakers including grantees themselves, and their scaling partners.

Wednesday, 16:00 – 17:15

By 2050, African cities are expected to be home to an additional billion people. This dramatic growth is expected to pose challenges to governments, the private sector and individuals, but it also presents immense opportunities to service and engage with a young, growing, increasingly digital population that will be key to the continent’s economic transformation. Digital technologies, such as IoT, have a critical role to play and enable the development of smart cities that are improving everyday life to make them more liveable, sustainable, and resilient. Digital innovation in cities is also unlocking access to new financing instruments, which are critical for cities to overcome the huge investment gap needed to confront climate change and fulfil the SDG agenda. Our session, in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT in Rwanda, will bring together private sector innovators, city leaders, funders, mobile operators, and enabling organisations to discuss the role of technology and innovative financing in advancing inclusive climate-resilient urban development.

Thursday, 11:30 – 12:45

Mobile money providers in Sub-Saharan Africa are facing competition from the rise of fintechs, a sign of disruptors being disrupted again. Established players are suddenly having to evaluate their product offerings as they face pressure to provide customers with affordable and reliable digital financial services. At the same time, some mobile money providers have decoupled from their parent companies (while others are contemplating such a move) to allow for increased agility and flexibility. This session will explore the approaches and options that mobile money providers may need to consider in order to continue providing value to their customers, as the growth of fintech brings further evolution to the digital financial services space.

Thursday, 14:00 – 15:15

With over half of all registered mobile money accounts and a rapidly increasing number of fintech start-ups, Africa has become a hotbed for fintech innovations that are revolutionizing access to financial services. In this panel discussion, experts from across the fintech and mobile money ecosystem will explore the transformative impact of mobile money in Africa, discuss the latest trends and innovations in the space, and examine the challenges and opportunities for expanding access to financial services for all Africans. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders and join the conversation as we delve into the transformative power of mobile money, fintech, and innovation in Africa’s financial landscape.

Thursday, 16:00 – 17:15

The role of financial literacy in mitigating the success of fraudulent activities cannot be overstated. Financial literacy equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their finances, which in turn helps them identify and avoid fraudulent schemes. Additionally, it empowers individuals to take control of their finances, reducing their vulnerability to scams and fraud. It also enables them to understand the importance of protecting personal information such as PIN and ID details.
Financial literacy is also critical for businesses helping them develop effective internal controls that prevent fraudulent activities from occurring within the organization.

In this session we will examine the critical role financial literacy plays in mitigating the success of fraudulent activities. We will explore how operators and providers are building financial literacy among customers, how this is impacting fraud levels and what can be done to extend financial literacy programmes to everyone..

Thursday, 17:15 – 17:30