GTA Charts Path For Innovations, Collaborations In Tech Space

The roadmap to carve a niche for African techpreneurs has been canvassed by experts in the fast-evolving technology space at the second edition of the Global Tech Africa (GTA) Conference held in Lagos, Nigeria.

The 3-day event themed “Global Collaborations, Local Transformations” held from July 24 to 26, brought together over 6,000 participants at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, with over 85 diverse sessions featuring 100 speakers, groundbreaking exhibitors, and innovative startups and stakeholders in Africa Techspace.

The conference featured three dynamic stages and the deal room with the epicentre stage featuring government representatives, corporations, and VVIP delegations explored opportunities and addressed challenges in Africa’s tech landscape.

Experts in diverse fields and tech start-up founders stage engaged in panels and workshops on AI, fintech, and cybersecurity, amongst others.

Similarly, the outsource factory stage consists of GFA Technology, Kryptr, and Jobberman collaborating to empower Africa’s young talent with training, workshops, and outsourcing career connections.

Meanwhile, the Global Tech Africa initiative has the deal room a partnership with One Africa to implement its first edition, which was designed to connect innovative startups with potential investors, and support tech enterprises in Africa.

In his remark, NITDA director-general, Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasised the government’s commitment to technological innovation for economic diversification to propel the economic development and advancement of the nation.

Founder of Mobilium, Ralph Simon, shared his unique insights on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to drive local transformation across Africa.

The acting political and economic chief of the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Kenise Hill, offered a perspective on US-Africa partnerships in AI development, highlighting the potential for cross-continental collaboration in unlocking the full potential of this transformative technology.

Lagos State Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation & Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, introduced the Empower Lagos Project for youth and small-scale entrepreneurs.

On her part, the Managing director of the German Development Agency (GIZ), Anna Sophie Herkin discussed the importance of bridging the financing gap for women entrepreneurs, advocating for innovative and inclusive solutions to empower female founders and entrepreneurs across Africa.

Experts from the American Business Council, Lagos Business School, PwC, and NCAIR (National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics) advocated for Adapting global best practices – shaping Nigeria’s AI policy for Africa with a legislative tracker from the American Business Council, designed to give developing organizations an overview of policies and how they can contribute to them.

Participants described the GTA 2024 Conference as a vibrant convergence of Africa’s brightest minds and key stakeholders in tech which is facilitated by partners such as the Future Map Foundation, NITDA, the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Ascend Studios Foundation, and Venture Garden Group.