A Three-Day Convergence of Global Tech, Commerce, and Innovation
During three days, AfricaCom brought together over 15,000 attendees, with representation from more than 110 countries. In addition to prominent telecom companies such as China Mobile, Sonatel, and others, there was a significant presence of merchants and a few tech giants. The event covered a diverse range of topics, spanning from financial inclusion to content distribution and the growing digitilization of Africa. Discussions focused on the multifaceted aspects of the continent’s technological landscape, highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of the industry. With a diverse array of participants, AfricaCom has provided a meeting point for valuable conversations and collaborations.
Unlocking Africa’s Financial Future: Bridging Gaps, Embracing Innovation, and Advancing Digital Inclusion
Financial inclusion in Africa has emerged as an important aspect of the continent’s economic development, and the Africacom festival played a key role in spotlighting this important topic. The event not only highlighted the imperative of expanding access to formal financial institutions but also emphasized the broader scope of digitalization in service offerings. The event showcased the transformative potential of diverse digital services aimed at reaching a wider audience. Discussions revolved around the implementation of reliable and transparent payment mechanisms, acknowledging the importance of fostering trust in digital financial transactions.
“The key to success lies in a deep understanding of local needs, the implementation of reliable and transparent payment methods, and the provision of cutting-edge, diversified services (such as mobile TV, Esports, gaming hubs, ebooks/e-learning) that cater to the rapidly evolving preferences of users in Africa while taking into account economic and regulatory realities on the continent.” Mounia TERHZAZ – Africa Director, Digital Virgo
Digital Innovation : Empowering Africa’s Digital Transformation
The discussions at Africacom seamlessly transitioned to the accelerating digitization in Africa, placing a spotlight on the transformative influence of digital content and services. The continent is experiencing an unparalleled surge in technological progress, where innovations and digital solutions are reshaping industries and societies. In the midst of this digital revolution, industry leaders explored how the shift towards digitalization is not merely technological but serves as a catalyst for innovation, and improved accessibility across various sectors. Contributors such as Digital Virgo are providing a diverse array of digital content and services, including mobile TV, Esports, gaming hubs, ebooks, and e-learning, aligning with the dynamic preferences of users on the continent.
“We provide innovative solutions that generate revenue and support the digital transformation strategies of mobile and internet operators in Africa. Digital Virgo has become a major player for operators by producing and aggregating quality content and services tailored to digital usage on the continent for these ‘SuperApps.’ Moreover, many merchants choose Digital Virgo as a distribution channel for their services/contents due to our unparalleled knowledge, experience, and presence across a significant number of countries on the continent.” Renaud Ganascia, BtoB Sales Director, Digital Virgo
Unleashing Diversity: The Evolving Landscape of Content Distribution in Africa
With the rapid growth of digitalization across the continent, the dynamics of content distribution in Africa are undergoing a transformative shift. The increasing penetration of digital technologies, coupled with rising connectivity, has revolutionized how content is created, consumed, and distributed. This surge in digital adoption has not only democratized access to information and entertainment but has also paved the way for innovative content distribution strategies.
In the realm of content distribution, various promising verticals are emerging. From the thriving world of E-Sports, capturing the enthusiasm of a young and digitally engaged audience, to the ever-expanding Video on Demand (VOD) platforms meeting the diverse preferences of consumers, and the dynamic gaming sector, content distribution is diversifying to cater to a broad spectrum of interests.
As Nabil Bahlawane, Business Operations Manager from Digital Virgo, emphasizes, “Personally I think that it’s the E-Sports vertical that will flourish in 2024. Carriers are showing high interest in this vertical and to be associated with E-Sport in their local markets, an image that they are willing to reinforce with marketing campaigns and events organization. Recently Valve released Counter Strike 2, and Epic Games released Fortnite OG, these have brought so much hype since old players came back to spend time on their once was favorite games, and a huge number of new players jumped on this wave. The growing interest of this vertical by the youth is a huge source of attraction for content providers to propose an excellent service with engaging and exclusive content, as the potential is very high.
