Africa’s meteoric rise as an emergent international force in digital transformation coupled with the epic AI opportunity sweeping the globe is set to propel a new era of public-private sector investment collaboration when the continent’s largest tech and start-up event opens in Morocco this month.
The 2nd edition of GITEX AFRICA, the largest technology and start-up event in Africa, from 29-31 May 2024 in the vibrant city of Marrakech, shall see global leaders and experts, governments, businesses, tech giants, start-ups, investors, and academia from 130 countries converge to catalyse partnerships and advance the future ambitions of a continent determined to elevate its entrepreneurial innovation economy.
Under the patronage of Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, GITEX AFRICA 2024 is held under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform in partnership with the Digital Development Agency (ADD).
Africa’s blockbuster tech showpiece event is organised by KAOUN International, the overseas affiliate of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which organises GITEX GLOBAL in the UAE, the world’s largest and most trusted tech and start-up event.
With the final preparations underway for a purpose-built mega venue in the heart of Marrakech, GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2024 will span 21 halls featuring 1,400 international exhibiting companies – a 70% year-on-year increase over the event’s record-breaking debut 2023.
Leading print technology companies to display latest innovations
Canon Central and North Africa will unveil its ‘World Unseen’ campaign through an exclusive photography exhibition that offers visitors a multi-sensory experience that connects individuals, including those with visual impairments, with powerful images and stories through elevated prints, audio descriptions, soundscapes, and Braille.
Canon’s interactive booth will demonstrate the latest imaging and state-of-the-art printing solutions in distinct experiential zones for customers to have a unique opportunity to touch, feel, and experience Canon’s products firsthand.
Another global technology leader Epson will be showcasing its full range of solutions designed to support the region’s key industries. The leitmotif of this year’s Epson exhibition is sustainable development, and keeping with this sustainable theme, visitors can experience the energy-saving and efficiency benefits of Epson’s Heat-Free printing technology without compromising on speed or productivity.
Some of the products on display will include EcoTank business L6490, Workforce Pro WF-C5890DWF, Workforce Enterprise AM-C4000, and Workforce Enterprise WF-C21000 D4TW. Besides these, a slew of products catering to business, education, professional sports and entertainment, art, and retail solutions will be on display.
AI phenomenon and global start-ups
This is the year of the AI phenomenon and its tantalising all-purpose capabilities to transform diverse sectors, from cybersecurity, cloud and IoT, to finance, telecom, agriculture, and education, amplifying hopes of greater prosperity in the world’s second most populous continent. AI’s impact on health tech has also spurred the launch of World Future Health Africa, accelerating the continent’s ascending digital health revolution.
More than 700 of the most outstanding global start-ups from 45 countries, including 200 Moroccan startups, will also feature at GITEX AFRICA’s North Star Africa start-up showcase, turbo-charging a great investment revival in a resilient and vibrant start-up ecosystem that is estimated to raise $10 billion in VC funds by 2025.
These award-winning game changers will connect with 350 investors from 35 countries with $200 billion worth of assets under management. Now the vital barometer of tech’s massive cross-continental advances, GITEX AFRICA 2024 shall unify the global tech community’s commitment to accelerate a responsible future in the world’s burgeoning Silicon Valley.
Dr. Ghita Mezzour, Minister of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform; Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, General Director of ADD; and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of event organiser KAOUN International, addressed the media at the show’s official preview press conference.
“The second edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco falls within the framework of the unwavering efforts made by our country in the field of digital transition, in alignment with the directives of King Mohammed VI, who stressed on the importance to optimally leverage the enormous development opportunities digital transition provides for African countries,” explains Dr. Mezzour. “This edition will further consolidate Morocco’s position as a regional digital hub, thus creating an environment conducive to attracting more investments and stimulating job creation,”
ADD’s General Director Sidi Melyani adds, “The 2nd edition of GITEX Africa Morocco is even more ambitious and inclusive, as it responds first and foremost to the enthusiasm it has aroused around the world, and in more ways than one has affirmed Morocco’s positioning as a key hub in the world of technological innovation and the attractiveness of foreign investment in the promising digital sector. This year, just as many themes and sector niches will be highlighted, such as AI, reflecting the growing interest in the new global professions of technological innovation.”
Igniting talent development, catalysing a Pan-African tech rush
AI’s existential prospects and ability to leap-frog traditional barriers of economic development in Africa will dominate discussions at GITEX AFRICA 2024, catalysing a trans-continental tech rush across diverse industries, from cloud and IOT, cybersecurity, digital health, and future finance, to consumer tech, digital cities, and telecom.
Tech leaders estimate the AI boom will add $1.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, boosting the continent’s GDP by 5.6%, and accelerating the need for urgent digital discourses to deploy the shape shifting tech that is both sustainable and ethical.
KAOUN International’s LohMirmand says, “The recent developments in AI have created new opportunities and impetus for Africa in its digital transformation mission.
“Hosted in a continent adept at leapfrogging in critical industries, GITEX AFRICA Morocco presents governments, business leaders, and talents with unparalleled access to new information and expert knowledge, and big opportunities in digital convergence. This shall empower them to co-create new strategies and solutions for the betterment of society.”
Goverment ministers, digital visionaries tackle Africa’s pressing tech challenges
Africa’s most progressive leadership conference programme will meanwhile gather 450-plus speakers from 70 countries, to debate, scrutinise, and tackle the greatest tech challenges and opportunities in the world’s second largest continent with bold ambitions to co-create and define its own Pan-African digital roadmap.
GITEX AFRICA Digital Summit returns, leading ten conference stages comprising 280-plus hours of mind-stretching content advancing Africa’s digital movement. Impactful agendas will explore government policy and regulation, connectivity, digital cities, and future finance, cybersecurity, and health tech’s transformative opportunity, along with fast-tracking the world’s most exciting start-up ecosystem and challenging the realities of AI mania.
Show Timings: (29 May, 2024): 11.30 am to 6 pm. (30-31 May, 2024): 10 am to 6 pm.
For further details, visit www.gitexafrica.com
