SFAS – Smartphone For Africa

21 -22 November, 2024. Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi KE

The Smartphone for Africa Summit: Increase Local Smartphone Manufacturing

Join us at the Smartphone for Africa Summit, a high-level gathering aimed at driving affordable and accessible smartphone production across the continent.

About the Summit

The Smartphone for Africa Summit, hosted by Qhala, GSMA, Smart Africa, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a landmark event to advance Africa’s local smartphone manufacturing. This summit brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and development partners to discuss strategies for affordable smartphone production that can empower Africa’s digital transformation.

Speakers

Dr Shikoh

CEO & Founder, Qhala

Dr. Nkundwe Mwasaga

Director General of ICT Commission. Tanzania

MC - Baraka Mwaura

Ms. Angela Wamola

Head of Sub- Saharan Africa, GSMA

Lacina Kone

Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Africa

H.E. Wamkele Mene

Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat AfCFTA

Hon. Eng. John Tanui

PS, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Kenya

Hon. Salim Mvurya

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), Kenya

Fidel Karenzi

Sr. Technologist, Digital Age Infrastructure & Platforms Interoperability, Rwanda Ministry of ICT and Innovation

Mr. Themba Khumalo

Principal Advisor to the Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat

Zachary Kazzaz

Senior Program Officer, Digital Connectivity Gender Equality Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Mr. Michael Mutiga

Chief Business Development & Strategy Officer, Safaricom PLC.

Mr. Yasser AbdelBary

Executive Director of Electronics Industry, Information Technology Industry Development Agency, ITIDA, Egypt

Dr Talkmore Chidede

Senior Digital Trade Expert, AfCFTA Secretariat

Mr. Lucas John Omollo,

HSC – Chief Manager, ICT & Smart City Solutions, Konza Technopolis

Mr. Stanley Kamanguya

CEO, ICT Authority of Kenya

Ms. Aneliya Muller

Senior Digital Development Specialist, World Bank

Mr. Adam Lane

Deputy CEO, Government Affairs, Kenya Huawei

Ms. Pren-Tsilya Boa-Guehe

Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager, Google

Dr. Rachel Sibande

Digital Development Specialist

Mr. Michael Waititu

JKUAT Assembly, Kenya

Dr. Wanjiru Mburu

Head of Research, Qhala

Hon. Dr. Juma Mukhwana,

CBS, PS for Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), Kenya

Ms. Maureen Amakabane,

Tony Elumelu Foundation

Mr. Anthony Muthungu

TotoSci, Kenya

Ms. Immaculate Kassait

Data Commissioner at ODPC

Ms. Thelma Quaye

Chief Digital Infrastructure, Skills and Empowerment Officer at Smart Africa (remotely)

Mr. Aaron Mwandia

Deputy Director - Digital Technology & Innovations, Ministry of ICT Zambia

Ben Roberts

Chair of ICT Sector Board, at Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)

Mr. Latiff Cherono

CEO Gearbox Europlacer, Kenya

Mr. Osman Issah

Unit Manager - Digital Infrastructure Strategy & Operationalization, Smart Africa

Why Local Smartphone Manufacturing?

Digital access is limited for millions, affecting their access to essential services, economic opportunities, and social development. Through local smartphone manufacturing, Africa can boost job creation, diversify economies, and promote digital inclusion. However, challenges like high production costs, trade barriers, and limited economies of scale need urgent solutions.

Key Objectives of the Summit

Promote Local Production

Develop strategies to reduce production costs and address regulatory barriers.

Boost Regional Collaboration

Create an integrated manufacturing ecosystem and regional hubs.

Harmonize Regulations

Align tax and trade policies to support cross-border smartphone distribution.

Learn from Leading Nations

Draw on insights from countries like Rwanda and Egypt on successful digital initiatives.

Core Themes

The discussions at the summit will revolve around the following core themes

Affordable Component Sourcing

Coordinated purchasing to reduce production costs through economies of scale.

Inter-County Collaboration

Developing specialized regional manufacturing hubs to increase global competitiveness.

Regulatory Harmonization

Aligning tax policies and regulations for smoother cross-border smartphone trade.

Best Practices from Leading Nations

Insights from Rwanda and Egypt on fostering innovation and promoting local manufacturing.

Expected Outcomes

A roadmap for increasing local smartphone manufacturing across Africa, addressing challenges related to production costs, component sourcing, and regulatory harmonization.
Concrete policy recommendations on how African nations can align their regulations, trade policies, and tax structures to facilitate the production and distribution of locally manufactured smartphones.
A network of regional partnerships that can work together to build integrated manufacturing hubs across Africa, encouraging specialization and cross-border collaboration.
Commitments from governments and industry players to support local manufacturing, promote digital inclusion, and make smartphones more affordable and accessible to all Africans.

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For any questions about the summit, partnerships, or registration, please contact us at: smartphone.africa@qhala.com