Representatives of ICT businesses tell us about their participation in the inaugural GITEX Africa, as well as the offerings that will be presented by them at this inaugural tech and startup event in Africa.
The much anticipated inaugural GITEX Africa will be held from May 31 to 2 June, 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco bringing the tech world’s attention to the limitless potential of Africa. The launch of the GITEX brand into the world’s youngest continent Africa will follow its success at GITEX GLOBAL 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Centre where more than 5,000 exhibitors from 90 countries were present. Like Dubai, Morocco is also a regional hub.
Being hailed as the largest tech and startup event in Africa, the GITEX Africa will feature more than 900 exhibitors, start-ups, and visiting delegations from 95 countries for three days of intensive outcome-focused public-private sector collaborations. In 2021, Africa recorded the highest funding for startups at $2.1 billion for 563 companies across the continent. The startup funding in the region has grown growing at six times the global average.
“There has actually been a steady increase in venture capital investment in African tech startups,” says Samer Hani, Director of Sales and Operations of Matrix42 Eastern Europe, Africa and Middle East. Enterprise service management solutions provider Matrix42 can be found at Hall 2, 2C-40C in GITEX Africa. Samer Hani adds, ”One of the fastest-growing sectors in Africa is Financial technology (fintech) with mobile money platforms and digital banking solutions gaining popularity across the continent. E-commerce has also been growing with more platforms emerging, offering more products and services to consumers across the continent. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are becoming increasingly important too.”
Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, GITEX Africa will be hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD), a strategic public entity leading the Moroccan government’s digital transformation agenda.
This event is being held in the backdrop where technology landscape in Africa is rapidly evolving, presenting immense opportunities for innovation and growth. “We believe that advancements in technology can drive positive change and empower communities across the continent,” says Ahmed Adel, Founder and CEO of CardoO, an Egyptian-based brand for IoT consumer electronics.
“The technology landscape in Africa is rapidly evolving and holds great potential,” says Ertug Ayik, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, HP. “The continent has recently witnessed an accelerated pace of investments in big tech and startups that is driving economic growth, increasing access to internet connectivity, continued mobile phone penetration, and a growing tech ecosystem have fueled innovation and entrepreneurship across sectors such as fintech, aggrotech, and healthtech.”
Attending GITEX Africa provides an opportunity for the attendees to network, showcase and exchange ideas with industry peers, learn from the ITC sector’s current leading lights and catch a glimpse of the future from tomorrow’s disruptors.
Africa’s Tech Potential
According to the analysts, the tech market in Africa is on track to soar from $115 billion to $712 billion by 2050, while growth in start-up funding is six times higher than anywhere else. 40 per cent of the African population has now access to internet with the number of people with internet access standing at 522.8 million.
Africa’s technology outlook is booming. The continent counts over 400 tech hubs with different focus from the fintech to the robotics and software engineering. Moreover, the market size of Africa’s digital economy is massive and, the market is expected to grow up to $712 billion by 2050. “No wonder that for venture investors and startups Africa remains the hottest continent in the literal and figurative sense,” says Hesham Tantawi, Vice President ASBIS MEA . At GITEX Africa 2023, ASBIS is set to introduce new products and solutions from the key vendors including Intel, Supermicro, AMD, Mimosa, Philips, Logitech.
What to expect from GITEX AFRICA?
Different stakeholders attending the event are willing to leverage the opportunities presented in the event. “Meet people, discover new business opportunities, discuss the latest tech trends and challenges. In general, GITEX Africa is quite literally a legendary event, and we are proud to be a part of it,” says Hesham Tantawi of ASBIS.
“As exhibitors at the inaugural GITEX Africa, our expectations are to connect with industry leaders, showcase our IoT consumer electronics products, and forge valuable partnerships. We aim to leverage this platform to expand our reach and contribute to the technological advancements in Africa,” says CardoO’s Ahmed Adel.
“GITEX is undeniably the Middle East’s leading technology event, and we are delighted to be participating in the event’s inaugural African edition,” noted Ertug Ayik showing HP’s commitment to the continent.
“GITEX Africa would be a perfect platform for Matrix42 to create awareness in how IT transformation can truly improve efficiency and of course ROI for any company in the region,” says Samer Hani of Matrix42. “Through GITEX Africa, customers, partners and distributors will get to know us as a true partner and solution provider.”
Anticipated offerings On The Show Floor
At GITEX Africa, CardoO will be showcasing our diverse range of IoT consumer electronics products, including the CardoO Watch, Buds, Scale, iNote, Joystick, and VR Headset. “These innovative solutions are designed to enhance people’s day-to-day lives and provide affordable smart devices to the middle-class segment,” comments Ahmed Adel, Founder and CEO of CardoO. Visitors to the GITEX Africa 23 can find CardoO at Booth 5C-42.
HP will be showcasing its latest advancements in hybrid work with its Future Ready portfolio, including the Poly HP solutions. “We will also highlight HP Wolf Connect, the world’s first software service capable of locating, locking, and erasing a PC remotely, even when powered down or disconnected from the Internet,” says Ertug Ayik of HP. “Our portfolio of Workplace solutions and services will also be available to our customers. We have entered an era of rebuilding, rethinking and reshaping what life and work looks like and our products and solutions reinforce HP’s commitment to providing a safe, secure, and flexible workplace in the ‘new normal’.” The HP stand in GITEX Africa is located in Hall no 1, Booth 1C-10.
Visitors to ASBIS stand (3D-50, Hall H3) at GITEX Africa will have the opportunity to explore a portfolio of products from the best vendors including Philips, Intel, AMD, Supermicro, Logitech and Mimosa. The products and solutions the top-tier Value Add Distributor will present at the event include Mini PC and CPU, monitors, outdoor networking products, CPU and GPU, conference room solutions and accessories and servers.
Matrix42 will be showcasing its Digital Workspace Platform on a Single Pane of Glass view and focusing on both Enterprise Service Management (ESM) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) the two suites of products in Matrix42’s innovative Digital Workspace Management portfolio.
A long-time participant of Middle East’s GITEX Global, Shure will be participating in the event’s inaugural African edition. Shure will showcase its latest audio solutions for the AV conferencing and professional audio industry at its stall at 2023 Hall 2 2C-50 at the upcoming Africa’s largest tech event. “Shure will be present at the continent’s largest tech event show and will demonstrate its latest audio solutions for the AV conferencing and professional audio industry, says Yassin Mannai, Senior Manager, Sales Shure MEA.
He adds, “Shure’s presence at GITEX AFRICA 2023 reinforces the importance of high-quality audio technology for IT managers and AV decision-makers, while strengthening connections with key customers, partners, and industry friends.”
“HP is proud to join industry leaders from across the globe in amplifying Africa’s digital aspirations and how we are supporting businesses across the continent,” says Ertug Ayik.
As GITEX GLOBAL embarks on a new journey into Africa all eyes will be on what the platform brings to the table for various ICT stakeholders.
