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Plenary Panel Synthesis & Debate: #Underthehood of Tech: Shaping Africa’s Tech Future: Innovation, Impact, and Partnerships

October 30, 2024 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Date: 30 October 2024

Time: 09:00 – 11:00  (SAST)

Format: Plenary Panel

Venue: iClub, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct

Facilitator: Lesley Donna Williams

Speakers

  1. Nwabueze Chibuzor, CIVCUS (Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI))
  2. Mohamed Kimbugwe, AUC, AUCTF
  3. Odeh Friday, Accountability Lab Nigeria

Session Overview

In a rapidly evolving digital world, where does Africa stand? This session will dive into the heartbeat of Africa’s tech landscape—its opportunities, challenges, and the future we can create together. We’ll explore how Africa’s context shapes the technologies it needs and what’s holding back our innovation potential. Through open dialogue, this session aims to uncover pathways to building a tech-driven future that is tailored and powered by African ingenuity.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Relevant tech for Africa: From necessity to innovation
    • What types of technology have the power to transform Africa’s future?
    • From mobile banking to agricultural drones, how are African tech solutions rewriting the rules of development?
    • Sharing stories of civic tech innovation that prove Africa isn’t just a consumer but a creator of world-changing tech.
  • Africa’s evolving relationship with technology: Opportunities and challenges
    • How has Africa’s tech adoption transformed in recent years?
    • What big concerns drive the conversation—data security, inclusivity, or digital rights? How do these shape Africa’s digital landscape?
    • What does the future look like for technology in Africa, where growth meets resilience?
  • The African tech skills profile: Rising stars filling the gaps
    • What skills are Africa’s young civic tech enthusiasts offering, and where are we still falling short?
  • Are we building the tech Africa needs?
    • Is Africa developing tech that answers the real needs of its people, or are we borrowing solutions that don’t fit?
    • Which emerging industries—e.g. healthcare, climate, agriculture, education—are proving to be ripe for (civic) tech disruption?
  • What’s stopping Africa from reaching its full tech potential?
    • What are the real roadblocks to developing a thriving tech ecosystem—policies that stifle funding gaps, infrastructure limitations, or barriers to access?
    • How do we create a civic tech ecosystem that supports homegrown solutions and gives innovators room to thrive?
  • Building bridges: Creating partnerships for a tech-driven Africa
    • How can we bring together governments, community-based organisations, activists,  entrepreneurs, and tech communities to build strong, sustainable partnerships that drive progress?
    • In a world of interconnected technologies, how do we ensure Africa is not left behind but is instead at the forefront, leading with homegrown digital innovations, thereby setting a regionally relevant agenda?

The panel discussion will provide a nuanced perspective on Africa’s tech journey. By weaving together the continent’s challenges and triumphs, we’ll explore how Africa can steer its tech future with purpose and collaboration. Our goal is to inspire new thinking about how partnerships can unlock the true potential of African innovation, creating a tech ecosystem that serves the continent’s vision of progress. The conversation will set the scene for the parallel sessions that follow that will provide deep dives into the types of tech ecosystems we can build that can be creative, ethics, appropriate and accessible.

Details

Date:
October 30, 2024
Time:
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Event Categories:
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Event Tags:
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Website:
https://civictech.africa/underthehood/

Organizer

CivicTech Africa
Email
info@civictech.africa
View Organizer Website

Venue

Tshimologong Precinct
41 Juta Street, Braamfontein
Johannesburg, Gauteng 2017 South Africa
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