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Tag: Cape Town 2023

  • Empowering voices – Africa Tech Festival fields a strong and successful line-up of women speakers and women-focused features in 2023 to put the spotlight on female trailblazers who are leading the tech revolution on the continent

    Empowering voices – Africa Tech Festival fields a strong and successful line-up of women speakers and women-focused features in 2023 to put the spotlight on female trailblazers who are leading the tech revolution on the continent

    JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 1, 2023/ — Africa Tech Festival (https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu) in 2023, (Cape Town, 13 – 16 November), will field an impressive line-up of strong African women in technology, as a catalyst to shift the power dynamics in the industry, redressing their historic underrepresentation, funding restrictions, and other barriers to entry that have to date, prevented the technology sector from being fully inclusive.

    In a March 2023 study, conducted by the organisers of the festival, key highlights reflected that women are still facing stereotypical attitudes preventing them from moving up the ladder, lack equal pay for equivalent and often better abilities, and that absence of access to education and skills remain significant hurdles to overcome in encouraging more girls and young women to consider technology as a career.

    Yet, as OECD research reveals, more than a quarter of all businesses in Africa were either started or are run by women. Despite these high levels of entrepreneurial activity, African women draw the short straw when it comes to funding. Delving into this challenge, is a panel discussion at the festival entitled: Boosting Funding for Women Entrepreneurs in Africa (https://apo-opa.info/3tXJLeF), and led by keynote speaker and social media expert, Amélie Ebongué (https://apo-opa.info/3Qmk8LP), Global Brand Marketing Manager, and Author of Amazon Bestseller “Génération TikTok”.

    Ebongué will also champion several other important discussions at ATF this year, including a look at what is beyond streaming, leveraging performance marketing to grow start-ups, and what’s in store for Web 3.0.

    Several other women-focused sessions are on offer over the 3-days. At the AfricaTech Centre stage on Wednesday 15 November, there is an opportunity to engage with successful women tech leaders through a panel discussion: Empowering Voices: Women Leading the Tech Revolution in Africa (https://apo-opa.info/3tXJLeF). This panel will highlight the stories of pioneering women who have excelled in various tech fields, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, and entrepreneurship. Speakers include the likes of Unathi Mtya (https://apo-opa.info/3tXJLeF), Group Chief Information and Digital Officer at African Bank.

    While businesses have initiated efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusivity, significant challenges still persist in achieving real change. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial for driving diversity in Africa’s tech sector.  To tackle this head on, the AfricaCom Centre Stage will host a Panel that looks at Closing the Gender Digital Divide in Africa: What Can Connectivity Providers Do (https://apo-opa.info/3tXJLeF)? This will be led by Tom Koutsky (https://apo-opa.info/3QiGjCU), Senior Connectivity Policy Advisor, Digital Inclusion Team Lead, USAID Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub.

    James Williams, Senior Director, Events | Connecting Africa | Informa Tech, remarks that: “We have made a conscious choice to attract powerful women in tech to showcase Africa’s female voices and their impacts on businesses, economies, and societies this year.  As echoed by many of our luminary speakers, without providing a platform to showcase their achievements, it will be difficult to attract more women to enter the industry.”

    Additional features during Africa Tech Festival will be dedicated to put the spotlight on African female tech leaders and rising stars. One of them takes the shape of an exclusive gala dinner, the InspiringFifty Africa Awards, run by EQL:HER (https://apo-opa.info/45Ua8zk), a global network and event series, which exists to re-balance gender in the technology sector to secure women an inclusive future across all businesses.

    This prestigious initiative focuses on recognising the top fifty women who are making significant strides in tech careers across the African continent. Whilst waiting for the 50 winners to be unveiled during a celebratory gala dinner on 13 November at the Mount Nelson hotel, the finalists have just been released and can be seen here (https://apo-opa.info/40lkA1F).

    Whilst InspiringFifty Africa will be a chance to rub shoulders with the continent’s who’s who of female tech leaders, EQL:HER will run additional female-focused initiatives, including a new dedicated networking space – the EQL:HER Lounge located in the Ballroom area of the CTICC from 14 to 16 November.

    Women and allies will get a chance to come together, connect and share their experiences whilst engaging in Q&As with main stage speakers, listen in to intimate fireside chats, and join power hour networking sessions to which all are encouraged to participate.  Some sessions that stand out include the likes of a Workshop called Womenomics – Unlocking the Financial Potential of Investing in Women (https://apo-opa.info/3tXJLeF), and a Fireside Chat: Cultivating a Sustainable Talent Stream for Women in Tech (https://apo-opa.info/3tXJLeF).

    Funke Opeke (https://apo-opa.info/3QFQ13s), CEO of MainOne, a judge and sponsor of this year’s InspiringFifty, says: “Africa Tech Festival is a leader in championing women playing a key role in tech on the continent. The focus has not been limited to the few that have risen to the top of their careers, but also supporting programmes such as InspiringFifty to ensure we leave the door open and actively support those who come behind us. True parity will be achieved when all leaders in tech mentor, support, and uplift the next generation of women in technology, given that talent knows no gender boundaries.”

    Diversity is not a buzzword
    Diversity is a fundamental necessity. In the context of technology, diversity brings new perspectives, new ways of thinking, and innovative solutions to the table. Women, who have been historically underrepresented in STEM and STEAM fields, offer a different lens through which to view and solve complex problems.

    Darshani Persadh (https://apo-opa.info/3MrnGeO) – Technical Co-Founder at DARJYO, and another visionary speaker at EQL:HER, underlines this point, saying: “Diversity isn’t a hindrance—it’s a catalyst for innovation and progress in the tech world.”

    Studies consistently show that diverse teams are more creative and better equipped to address the multifaceted challenges our digital age presents. When women are encouraged to enter STEM and STEAM, they contribute to the overall development of technology that benefits everyone.

    EQL:HER (www.EQLHER.com) is co-hosted over the three days with Inspiring African Women NPC, along with the Digital Council Africa, and WomHub.

    Do not miss these important and life-changing conversations.  Secure a seat at the table by registering for a free delegate pass – see below for details.

    For more information, please see website here: Africa Tech Festival 2023 – The Home of AfricaCom & AfricaTech (https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu)

    View all ticket options for Africa Tech Festival, including start-up passes, here (https://apo-opa.info/3Q04o2r).

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

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  • Join the Movement: African Energy Week (AEW) Fosters an African Energy Renaissance with 2023 Theme

    Join the Movement: African Energy Week (AEW) Fosters an African Energy Renaissance with 2023 Theme

    African Energy Week 2023 will proudly take place under the theme, ‘The African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization and Free Markets’
    JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 8, 2023/ — Africa’s estimated 125.3 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves present an opportunity for the continent to accelerate the diversification of the energy mix and address energy poverty while driving industrialization, employment creation, gross domestic product growth and environmental sustainability. In this regard, the 2023 edition of the African Energy Week (AEW) conference and exhibition – Africa’s premier event for the energy sector which takes place in Cape Town from October 16-20 – is proud to take place under the theme, ‘The African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization and Free Markets.’

    With over 600 million people across the continent living in energy poverty, 900 million without access to clean cooking solutions and African economies grappling with chronic shortages and high energy prices, the AEW 2023 theme reflects the urgent need for Africa to prioritize the needs of its people while correspondingly promoting sustainable development and industrialization, creating opportunities for free and open markets.

    “Africa has the potential to become a global leader in energy, but we must first address the urgent need to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our people,” said Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President of the African Energy Chamber, adding that, “This year’s theme underscores the importance of addressing energy poverty, driving large-scale project developments across the oil, gas, renewable and broader power sectors. At the same time, it reflects that it is imperative that we create the right conditions for investment to flow and the private sector to flourish.”

    Alleviating energy poverty will all come down to the continent’s strong pipeline of oil and gas projects. On the oil front, upstream projects to the likes of Eni’s Baleine project in Ivory Coast; Namibia’s three-fold discoveries in the Orange Basin; Zimbabwe’s onshore exploration campaign in the Muzarabani Basin, among others, continue to showcase the potential for upstream investment. Downstream, Angola’s three-refinery developments (Soyo, Cabinda and Lobito); the East African Crude Oil Pipeline; and other infrastructure developments offer new opportunities for petroleum distribution in Africa. All of these projects will be key for addressing energy poverty while accelerating industrialization.

    Meanwhile, climate action remains a top priority for Africa, as it represents the continent most impacted by climate change. As such, a series of sizeable low-carbon natural gas projects have and continue to be launched including Eni’s Coral South Project in Mozambique; TotalEnergies’ Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) development; bp’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project in Mauritania/Senegal; Perenco’s $1 billion LNG development in Gabon, among others. These developments open new prospects for power generation and distribution, job creation and capacity building, as well as revenue generation for countries continent-wide. As such, AEW 2023’s theme reflects the urgency behind these projects, focusing dialogue and deals on energy poverty, people and the planet.

    On the renewables front, Africa has emerged as a global green hydrogen investment hub with large-scale projects underway in Mauritania, Namibia, Egypt and South Africa. These projects aim to capitalize on the continent’s immense solar and wind potential, accelerating energy access and reducing carbon emissions. The continent’s focus on sustainable energy is underscored by AEW’s focus on the planet.

    While global energy transition related policies and restrictive local regulations and fiscal terms have disrupted the flow of foreign direct investments into African energy, this year’s AEW theme depicts the need for both established and emerging African energy producers to revitalize energy laws and prioritize the creation of enabling environments in which the private sector will thrive.

    In order for the continent to meet its energy and economic developments goals, prioritization must be placed on free markets, and AEW 2023 represents the platform where discussions on this topic will be held. Featuring investment-dedicated discussions and summits, AEW 2023 enables industry stakeholders to discuss best practices for the continent to maximize private sector participation while addressing investment and infrastructure gaps.

    “AEW 2023 will be a critical opportunity to advance the energy agenda in Africa and promote sustainable development across the continent. We have said it time and time again, Africa needs free market, increased private sector participation and business-enabling fiscal terms to grow. The AEW theme reflects this clearly and we look forward to welcoming delegates from across the globe to Cape Town for what promises to be a dynamic and productive event,” Ayukegba continued.

    Under this market-focused theme, a suite of high-level speakers will discuss growth opportunities across Africa’s entire energy value chain with the aim of accelerating energy security, climate change mitigation and value addition for local economies and people. In addition to dialogue, AEW 2023 will feature exclusive networking sessions and deal-signings, uniting African energy policymakers and companies with global investors. Additionally, technical workshops and presentations will showcase the latest innovations in technology and services while youth-led side events provide a platform for young entrepreneurs and industry players to engage with market leaders.

    For more information about AEW 2023, please visit the event website at www.AECWeek.com and secure your spot at the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent. Join the African Energy Chamber’s AEW 2023 and be part of the African energy renaissance.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    SOURCE
    African Energy Chamber