GTA Summit: Stakeholders Brainstorm Growth Opportunities In Tech Ecosystem  

Over 300 prominent figures and stakeholders from the African and international tech communities converged at the Global Tech Africa (GTA) Summit to discuss and unlock growth opportunities in the tech ecosystem in Africa.

GTA is designed and implemented by Ascend Studios Foundation, and in collaboration with the Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, Venture Garden Group, Business Sweden and RivExcel Health. This unique synergy is aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration, and investment in the African Tech Industry.

The GTA Summit host, Emmanuel Tarfa, at the gathering in Lagos, said “Africa’s human capital can become its greatest export and source of income. Africa is Projected to constitute 42 per cent of the global youth population in 2030 according to the World Economic Forum. Leveraging technology and building its digital ecosystem will be pivotal to harnessing this human capital.”

In his opening address, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. William Nwankwo Alo, who was represented by the director of Information Communication Technology, Mr. Samuel Okoye, stated that the GTA Summit presents a pathway for embarking on a journey to explore the immense opportunities that lie at the intersection of innovation, technology, and human progress.

The director-general of NITDA, Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, spoke about the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“GTA Summit is a crucial step in our collective journey towards empowering the tech ecosystem in Africa. It provides an unparalleled platform for stakeholders to come together, share knowledge, and explore opportunities that will drive technological advancements in the region. We have the talent in Africa, and now we need the government and private investors to take a stake in tech talent empowerment through the Global Tech Africa platform,” Abdullahi averred.

Speaking about the significance of the GTA Summit, the U.S. Consul General in Lagos, Will Stevens, said, “GTA highlights the power of international collaboration and reinforces our commitment to supporting the growth of the African tech industry. We believe that by coming together and sharing ideas, we can collectively address challenges and create a thriving tech environment in Africa.” He also highlighted the significance of fostering strong ties for the Tech Industry between the U.S. and Africa.”

Co-founder of DLD Conferences, Steffi Czerny, presented her views on the Global Tech Industry and its impact on Africa’s digital future. She also shared that DLD Conferences will be coming to GTA Conference in November 2023.

Deputy Political and Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Kenise Hill, highlighted the potential for two-way trade opportunities between the U.S. and Africa, with a focus on the Prosper Africa programs.

The GTA Summit featured a series of insightful presentations showcasing Africa’s progress in analytics, machine learning, and AI. Bunmi Akinyemiju, Co-founder of Venture Garden Group, shed light on domesticating government and corporate intelligence partnerships. Mr Akinyemiju launched TRAIL, an AI cloud-based monitoring and evaluation platform that allows development organizations easily track, measure and report impact results in real time.