GITEX Africa 2024, redefining Africa’s future through innovative global technology
4 min read
The 44th edition of GITEX will be a convention that will help explore the dynamic global technology landscape that is shaping Africa’s future. Whether it is presenting creative ideas, building valuable networks, working on innovative projects, establishing yourself as a thought leader or gaining industry knowledge.
- What are the Supernova Challenges?
- Entrepreneurship Summit
- GITEX’s impact in Africa
The outcome of these days is to gain unparalleled business insight. GITEX Africa 2024 is a nest of innovation and will bring together the brightest talents, stars and technology enthusiasts. It also hosts events such as conferences, entrepreneur talks, startup meetups, panels and debates. In fact, it is a meeting place for companies, investors and startups.
To participate in the event, the application deadline is 22 April. The following days will see the announcement of the semi-finalists on 8 May, a virtual pitch preparation session on 15 May, the start of the semi-final pitch competition on 29 May and the announcement of the final and winner on 31 May.
It’s a great opportunity to discover huge technological breakthroughs in a variety of areas, including cloud and IoT, cybersecurity, digital health, future finance, consumer technology, communications and big changes in artificial intelligence (AI).
This year’s edition features North Star Africa’s largest startup showcase, bringing together the largest collection of award-winning startups and growing companies in the continent’s history.
Governments, businesses and communities are embracing these changes to build sustainable systems. The most ambitious and forward-thinking entrepreneurs and startups will receive all the support and information they need from African and global investors to expand business opportunities in the region. Africa is in a race to embrace technological advances to transform business, society and culture.
The Africa of tomorrow is already taking shape, with the digital economy growing from an estimated market size of 115 billion USD to 712 billion USD. The event will enjoy showcasing Africa’s best and hottest startups, the development of the Supernova Challenges, Founders Summits, Entrepreneurship Summits, conferences on cybersecurity, health, digital, technology impact, executive forums, and the opportunity for entrepreneurs from across the continent to network and strike new deals.
𝐄𝐩𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐗 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, & 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡! 🔥🖨️📽️#GITEXAFRICA #GITEXGLOBAL #GITEXEUROPE #AI #Tech #Africa #Morocco #Marrakech #EPSON #KAOUN #ADD pic.twitter.com/gji0xuRiTG
— GITEX AFRICA (@GITEXAfrica) March 15, 2024
What are the Supernova Challenges?
The first edition of GITEX Africa saw six winners in five categories from Africa and around the world, including the winner of the GITEX Africa Supernova Challenge held in Morocco. Over three days, dozens of startups presented their unique ideas to a panel of superstar judges who would decide who would make it to the finals. With a total prize pool of $100,000, the event will be the largest startup competition in Africa’s history.
Among the categories with the most startups presenting stand out:
- Cyber security, a successful product or service is one that implements security protocols and incident response.
- AI and digital cities, the winner will redefine Africa’s public digital landscape and ensure a better, digitally inclusive future. The start-up’s product or service explores the endless possibilities of generative artificial intelligence and demonstrates how this technology can drive growth and development across the continent.
- Fintech and Blockchain, aiming to change Africa’s financial technology landscape, from mobile money to blockchain-based platforms.
- Sustainability and Agri-tech, winners use technology to solve social problems, such as energy or environmental, creative economy.
The aim of the award is to promote the cultural and creative industry by providing products or services in the fields of art, design, fashion, music, photography, film and video. Special mention to the Women in Technology Award, which recognises women-led startups that create products or services with high potential for global expansion. Startups have founders who own at least 50% of the company and active senior executives.
Entrepreneurship Summit
The African startup ecosystem is achieving remarkable growth and attracting the attention of global investors.
In the first nine months of 2023, African tech startups raised 1.4 billion USD, including 492 million USD in the third quarter alone. However, this is 48% less than in the same period in 2022, suggesting a change in the investment environment.
Despite this challenging global financial environment, Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is showing resilience and recovery: capital raised by entrepreneurs grew by 28% in Q3 2023 compared to the previous year.
However, this growth is focused on large deals, such as those over 100 million USD, which strengthen the ecosystem. In contrast, seed companies and start-ups saw their operating activity decline by 46% and 40%, respectively. The most active sectors are finance, information technology and consumer durables, which account for almost two-thirds of VC deals
GITEX’s impact in Africa
The quest for sustainable development in Africa is an urgent need. Innovative solutions and collaborative efforts are essential to pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable future. Critical challenges in Africa are water security, agriculture and energy. That is why it is vital that technology development brings the most advanced sensors in the detection and purification of clean water, agricultural technologies that revolutionise farming and sustainable energy that revitalises the economy.
The vision is to promote cross-sector collaboration and innovation for sustainability and development in Africa. By bringing together thought leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs and investors, the goal is to build a future in which Africa thrives with secure access to water, sustainable agriculture and clean, reliable energy.
link
