ITC celebrates innovation at GITEX Africa
GITEX Africa, with over 900 exhibitors and 32,000 visitors from all over the world, has become the biggest tech event on the continent. From 30 May to 2 June, small businesses and start-ups that work with the NTF V programme took part in the Moroccan edition.
It's the place to meet technology leaders, start-ups, governments, investors and innovation hubs from across the continent and beyond. The Moroccan edition of GITEX is a gigantic showcase of technological innovation, bringing together talents and players of the African and global digital economic spheres. Several companies supported by the NTF V project from Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal shared a stand and took advantage of the vibrant event to build partnerships.
Alexandre Bonneau founded Afroto, a pan-African start-up specialized in the creation of
professional photos and videos. His challenge: developing a Made in Africa image library and promoting locally produced multimedia content. Afroto, a trusted partner of many NGOs and institutions, showcased its talents at GITEX and immediately caught the attention of impact investor Digital Africa.
‘Digital Africa has just sent us on another mission to five countries on the continent, following our coverage from Madagascar and Côte d'Ivoire,’ Bonneau said, delighted with the momentum generated by GITEX. ‘The event revealed to me just how dynamic the African digital economic sphere really is. It's so inspiring!’
Strengthening the spirit of innovation
GSIE Technologie offers mobile banking solutions to microfinance institutions. Sales director Ibrahima Thiam saw GITEX Africa as an opportunity to raise its profile among information systems publishers.
‘The world is speeding up, and there's no time to lose. African start-ups need to talk to each other, collaborate and accelerate,’ he said. ‘We are now in touch with a Pakistani company with whom we hope to build a global offer. We have also reached out to two banks interested in our AllinOne platform.’
Besides facilitating meetings, GITEX Africa is a melting pot of innovations and a bellwether of the latest technological developments. It's a place where players from the global digital economy exchange ideas, influence and inspire each other.
‘Taking part in GITEX Africa gives you the chance to talk to the world and see what makes other entrepreneurs so successful. It's also a chance to learn more about current issues, such as artificial intelligence and cybercrime,’ Thiam said.
His team is currently developing ever more advanced mobile banking functionalities.
‘By providing access to major events such as GITEX Africa, the NTF V project offers start-ups the opportunity to cultivate entrepreneurial excellence, achieve their goals and innovate for the benefit of people,’ he said.
About the programme
The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF) program (July 2021 – June 2025) is based on a partnership between the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Trade Centre. NTF V supports SMEs in the digital technology and agribusiness sectors in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Uganda. Its ambition is to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable transformation of agri-food systems partly through digital solutions, to improve the international competitiveness of local tech start-ups and to support the implementation of the export strategy of IT&BPO companies.
