Mozilla Session: Presentation of Learnings & Findings on New Technologies
16:30 - 17:30
This session would present the high-level findings of a new study of the African start-up ecosystem which was commissioned by the Africa Union Development Agency - AUDA-NEPAD, in partnership with Mozilla Corporation. The goal of the study is to acquire a deeper understanding of the start-up phenomena in Africa that can, through evidence-based actionable insights, lead to the adoption by the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and Member States of policy and regulatory frameworks that could lead to a more robust and sustainable startup ecosystem for the African continent in line with The Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2020-2030 (DTSA). Through the DTSA, the AU seeks to promote the economic contribution of start-ups and encourages African countries to create an enabling environment for their emergence and growth.
To fill a crucial knowledge gap that continues to limit the shaping of best policies and regulatory interventions targeted at this sector, the researchers undertook extensive research and interviewed a range of stakeholders in the startup ecosystem in select African countries including Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, Regional Economic Communities such as COMESA and at pan Africa level the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The ecosystem stakeholders include startups, incubators, accelerators, angel and venture capital funders and relevant government agencies in the respective countries. The study also benchmarked select countries in Asia (India and Malaysia) and South America (Brazil and Columbia).
In this session, the researchers will share key findings on the status of startup ecosystems, challenges that encumber growth and policy recommendations to unleash rapid growth as engines of development.
Target Audience
Digital Economy ministers, Ministers in charge of Innovation, ICT regulators, startups, hub managers, Venture Capital funders, Angel Funds, innovators, and invited ad hoc organisations.
Where
Gwayi Room
27 April
Day 2
THURSDAY
12:00
The Digital and Green Twin Transition - Opportunities for policy and investments
12:00 - 13:30
Digitalization is a growth driver across Africa, including for green jobs and innovation. Digital solutions can also help protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate change. At the same time the digital sector is susceptible to climate risks and a growing source of GHG emissions. The roundtable will discuss how governments and the private sector can climate proof digital infrastructure and accelerate sustainable digital development. The event is organized by Smart Africa and World Bank.
Connect
Innovate
Transform
Where
Matetsi Room
14:30
Unlocking data for prosperity: Charting an African Data Governance Approach by DIAL
14:30 - 15:30
This Panel discussion on Unlocking data for prosperity: Charting an African Data Governance Approach will be focused on how data can be used to drive economic growth and development in Africa. This session will highlight the potential of data to drive economic growth and development in Africa, and the need for a comprehensive data governance approach that would ensure that data is used safely, ethically, and for the benefit of all stakeholders.
The recommendations from the panel focused on the need for a collaborative approach to data governance, involving all stakeholders in the development of policies and frameworks. They also stressed the importance of building local capacity in data science and analytics, promoting data literacy and awareness, and investing in technology and infrastructure to support data collection and management.