Aiden K 
The GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) Kigali is poised to make its grand return to the Kigali Convention Center from October 29-31, 2024.
Recognized as Africa’s largest and most influential connectivity event, MWC Kigali will bring together an eminent group of innovators and political leaders from across the continent, all dedicated to advancing the digital economy and fostering socio-economic growth.
This year’s congress promises a rich agenda featuring a diverse array of keynotes and panel discussions, showcasing insights from industry visionaries and established enterprises.
The discussions will be centered around four pivotal themes: Connected Continent, The AI Future, FinTech, and Africa’s Digital DNA.
Noteworthy speakers confirmed for this year’s event include Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar; Amini’s Founder & CEO, Kate Kallot; GSMA’s Director General, Mats Granryd; and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, among others.
A significant milestone for this year’s event is the introduction of the GSMA Ministerial Programme, being hosted at MWC Kigali for the first time in Africa. The event will convene influential telecommunications leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on policy and regulatory topics crucial for the region’s advancement.
The Mobile for Development (M4D) initiative will also take center stage at MWC Kigali, serving as a catalyst for innovation aimed at bridging global inequalities.
M4D will present the ‘Mobile for Development Theatre,’ a curated space dedicated to keynote sessions and discussions focusing on a range of topics including AI, humanitarian innovations, agriculture, climate change, digital inclusion, and gender equality.
The Mobile Money Leadership Forum will also be a highlight of this year’s agenda, addressing key trends and innovations in mobile financial services.
The keynote presentations will tackle some of Africa’s most pressing digital connectivity issues. The first keynote will focus on how digital technologies can drive socio-economic development, addressing the continent’s unique challenges.
The second will dive into AI’s transformative potential for sustainable and inclusive growth across Africa. The third keynote will explore the rapid evolution of Africa’s fintech landscape and the technologies reshaping investment opportunities.
Lastly, the fourth keynote will highlight how the evolving content landscape is amplifying African voices on the global stage.
An exciting lineup of GSMA Summits will also be featured during the event, inviting industry leaders and policymakers to explore pressing issues related to network security, diversity in tech, and more:
- Security Summit: A deep dive into the critical security challenges facing mobile network operators in today’s rapidly evolving cyber landscape.
- Digital Summit: Exploring the potential of the digital economy in Africa and how technology and policy reforms can drive significant socio-economic growth.
- AI Summit: Discussing the opportunities and associated risks of implementing AI technologies in Africa as they become increasingly prevalent in the global economy.
- 5G Summit: Addressing barriers to widespread 5G adoption and strategies to unlock its full potential for both businesses and consumers.
- Diversity for Tech Summit: Emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced disability inclusion in Africa’s tech sector, ensuring equitable access to tools and opportunities for success.
MWC Kigali will also coincide with the Africa Health Tech Summit and the Future of Education and Work in Africa (FEWA), offering an in-depth exploration of the connectivity challenges and opportunities in the health and education sectors.
The event receives robust support from a formidable lineup of sponsors, exhibitors, and partners, including Africa CDC, African Union, Huawei, inABLE, MTN, the Republic of Rwanda, Smart Africa, and ZTE, reinforcing its significance as a premier gathering for driving Africa’s digital transformation.
