The Digital Transformation: Securing Africa’s Future in the Global Economy - African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS)

The Digital Transformation:
Securing Africa’s Future in the Global Economy

Friday, March 24, 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM PST

Session Description

The future of Africa hinges upon the digital transformation, with myriad technologies awakening possibilities ranging from the rise of popular fintech platforms to medical recording keeping to remote work. However, catalytic digitization has outpaced digital security. In 2017, African economies lost over $3.5 billion through cyberattacks. How does the continent balance digitization for growth, development, and innovation while managing the risks?

In an era of increased digital connectivity in all areas of industry, trust, security, and access become key priorities. This becomes especially pertinent with the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area that can revolutionize intra-African trade. This session explores ways that Africa can transform as a result of an increasingly digitized world and rise as a leader in the global economy.

How can digitization help integrate and connect regions in Africa?
What is needed to improve digital infrastructure across the continent in both urban and rural areas?
How do we reduce inequity and build systems for economic resiliency?

moderator

Stephen Ozoigbo is the Senior Director for Emerging Economies at Arm. He leads regional strategies around business development, technology, and ecosystem engagement activities across Arm’s multiple lines of business in South America and Africa. He also supports Arm’s Sustainability strategies across industry and partner networks, including government, education, and impact stakeholders within the emerging digital economies.

Panelists

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji is currently the CEO and General Partner of Fund for Africa’s Future (popularly known as Future Africa), Africa’s largest seed stage investor which has invested millions of dollars into over hundred startups across Africa. Prior to that, he co-founded Flutterwave, a billion-dollar global payments platform connecting African businesses and individuals to the global economy and served as its Founding CEO from May 2, 2016, to October 5, 2018. In those years, he led the company to become one of the fastest growing payments technology businesses of all time, processing over $2 billion across over 50 million transactions.

Monica Shupikai Simmons is Head of Africa at ICON Tech Investment Bank, London. She launched the Africa practice to advise African businesses seeking global investors and acquirers. Monica specializes in fundraising and M&A. She has 20+ years of experience, including senior roles at Deloitte and PwC in New York and London. Monica is passionate about supporting founders. She mentors at Europe’s leading incubator, SETsquared and teaches at Foundervine and IFC SME Ventures. Monica, a native of Zimbabwe, has an MBA from the University of Oxford, a bachelor’s from the University of Cape Town and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Omolara is a Nigerian technology executive and investor who co-founded and serves as an Operating Partner at Fast Forward, an African impact venture studio and early-stage fund that aims to drive prosperity through technology. Previously, she worked as a Senior Program Manager at Facebook (Meta), served as the Managing Director at SureGroup, Nigeria and Kenya’s leading provider of retail, corporate gift cards, and reward solutions, and was the founding Managing Director of Jumia Pay, where she was also head of partnerships for the Jumia Group. With an MBA from MIT and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Omolara is an Obama Foundation Fellow and a judge for the Ali Baba Africa Fellowship.