Connected Kenya is one of the leading tech events in Kenya, and by extension, East Africa. It has hosted 11 shows, and this year’s will be the 12th. Similar to select previous summits, the conference will be held in Coastal Kenya, precisely in Diani, for three days (April 2-5).
We have looked into what the summit will entail this time around, but here is a summary of what you need to know
Firstly, the upcoming event, called “The Digital Economy: Endless Opportunities Shaping the Future,” will be organized by the ICT Authority and various significant players in the ICT industry.
The conference aims to assess the advancements and accomplishments made in the sector, exchange information, present successful examples, and impart valuable lessons.
It also strives to formulate and propose guidelines, regulations, and operational measures, while also offering an opportunity for meaningful interactions that can lead to beneficial partnerships and contribute to economic growth.
Moreover, the Connected ICT Innovation Awards honour Kenya entrepreneurs for their new ICT products and services, with over 52 recognized since the first awards in 2011.
The awards showcase innovations aligned with Kenya’s goal to develop a strong middle-income economy by 2030, with participants submitting proof of their work in one of five categories: Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Fintech, and Public Service.
There will also be a Women in Tech segment, which is a key voice in the tech space right now. The current theme, “Women Molding the Digital Economy,” underscores the vital contribution women make to the advancement and expansion of technology.
Last year’s show saw the launch of the Digital Master Plan, which was perhaps the most important announcement during the summit. The plan underscores key ICT-based developments that should be made by the country in the next nine years.
There are also a ton of sponsors this time around, including TESPOK and Soliton Telmek. Others will also be there, and will easily be picked from their booths and banners.
Another important aspect of the show is who will show up, and what they will present/announce for the audience/tech consumers/clients/partners.
So far, we have compiled a list of who will attend and speak at the event. These groups include members of the ICT Ministry (the CS and PS), reps from the organizer the ICT Authority, reps from Konza City and Data Protection Office, and many others from telcos, audit firms and cybersecurity companies.
Here is the entire list:
- Eliud O. Owalo – Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy in Kenya
- Eng. John Tanui, MBS PS – State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy
- Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani PS, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications
- Stanley Kamanguya, OGW CEO – ICT Authority
- Ezra Chiloba Director General – Communications Authority of Kenya
- Michael O. Odhiambo Director, Shared Services
- Thomas O. Odhiambo, OGW Ag. Director, Programmes & Standards
- Joseph Nzano Ag. Assistant Director/Cyber security and E-commerce – Communications Authority of Kenya
- Fiona Asonga – CEO TESPOK
- John Paul Okwiri Ag.CEO Konza Technopolis
- Immaculate Kassait Commissioner, Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
- Dr. Sevilla Director iLabAfrica, Strathmore University Kenya
- Dr. Bright Gameli Mawudor Cyber Security Engineering Lead at MARA
- Snehar Shah Chief Executive Officer – Moringa School
- Erick Odipo Business Development Lead for Cloud Technology – Silicon Overdrive
- Sugan Ganasen Head of Video and Enterprise Business – Logitech
- Grace W Mbugua Executive Head, Product Management – KCB Bank Group
- Edwin Ngaruiya Practice Lead, Public Cloud – Dimension Data (East Africa)
- Florence Munene Technical Manager – Down to Earth Technologies (DTE)
- Dr. Katherine W. Getao, EBS Consultant
- Tiara Pathon – Senior Program Manager, Skills to Jobs – Amazon Web Services
- Sylvia Mukasa CEO GlobalX Innovation Labs, Digital Innovation Hub Expert, GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE Project, GFA Consulting Group
- Erick Mbugua Gitahi Marketing Manager – Computer Learning Centre (CLC Africa)
- Ashraf Helmy Senior Sales Manager | Data Protection & Cyber Recovery Solutions – Dell Technologies
- Hani Khalaf CTO, IoT, and Digital Cities – Dell Technologies
- Maryanne Cheruiyot Senior Account Manager – Check Point Software Technologies
- Peter Mathenge Senior Vice President and Head, Treasury and Trade Solutions – Citi
- Shwetank Jain UiPath
- Prajwal Shambhu Solution Lead – UiPath MEA
- Anthony Muiyuro Partner | Risk Advisory – Deloitte
