GITEX Africa Day One Sets the Stage for a Digitally Empowered Continent
We’re back in Marrakech for another incredible edition of GITEX Africa — and what a way to kick things off. The much-anticipated event officially opened its doors today, welcoming innovators, changemakers, investors, and tech enthusiasts from around the world for what promises to be three action-packed days of groundbreaking ideas and transformative conversations.
Now in its third edition, GITEX Africa has firmly cemented its position as the continent’s largest and most impactful tech and startup event. From April 14 to 16, 2025, the spotlight will shine on African-led innovations, homegrown solutions, and powerful collaborations shaping the future of technology on the continent.
This year, the numbers are speaking volumes: 1,450+ exhibitors, 740+ startups, 45,000+ visitors, from 130+ countries. It’s an extraordinary convergence of minds, momentum, and mission — and TechAfrica News is proud to be on the ground once again as an official media partner, bringing you the biggest highlights, takes, and must-know stories from the heart of the action.
From AI and fintech to connectivity, climate tech, and youth-led innovation, GITEX Africa is where Africa’s digital future comes alive — and we’re here to cover every step of the journey.
“We expected a lot from day one, and it certainly didn’t fall short. We’re glad to be here once again, witnessing firsthand the energy, ambition, and incredible innovation that GITEX Africa brings to the forefront. It’s exciting to see Africa’s tech ecosystem thriving on such a global stage.”
– Akim Benamara, Founder and Chief Editor of TechAfrica News
What a Way to Open: Vision, Voices, and a Call to Action
The ceremony began with a pre-recorded video address from Morocco’s Head of Government, H.E. Aziz Akhannouch, whose message set the tone for the days ahead. Flanked by an impressive lineup of government members, international investors, institutional leaders, and cross-industry innovators, the opening marked a strong, united front around one goal: a digitally empowered Africa.
In his address, Akhannouch reaffirmed Morocco’s deep commitment to global AI conversations, stressing the urgency of an ethical, inclusive, and well-regulated approach. As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes public policy, economies, and daily life, he emphasized the importance of centering human rights, protecting personal data, and ensuring AI serves the public good.
“The time for passive admiration of technology is over. Now is the time for action, collaboration, and influence.”
– H.E. Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government, Morocco
Akhannouch’s speech positioned GITEX Africa as more than a showcase but a catalyst for continental coordination, a hub for exchanging bold ideas, and a springboard for African-led innovation. He didn’t shy away from the risks either, highlighting the growing threat of cyberattacks and unethical digital practices, and urging collective action to strengthen cybersecurity and defend critical systems.
Backed by the vision of King Mohammed VI, the Head of Government spotlighted Digital Morocco 2030, the country’s forward-thinking strategy aimed at building a robust, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy. From forming strategic tech alliances to expanding rural connectivity and training the next generation of African AI talent, the message was clear: Africa must lead, not follow.
Capping off the opening speeches, Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, delivered a visionary outlook on Africa’s evolving role in the global tech arena. She painted a bold picture of the continent’s potential as a powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurship — just before dignitaries gathered for the official commemorative photo, capturing the spirit of unity and ambition that defines this year’s event.
“While the rest of the world has put Africa as the last thing on their minds, GITEX GLOBAL — the largest tech and startup show in the world — chose, three years ago, to launch globally first in Africa, the toughest continent by every metric. Because we believe in the overpowering ambition and fortitude of the people and governments, GITEX Global proudly chooses Africa as its first choice, and its first pride.”
– Trixie LohMirmand, CEO, KAOUN International
The Rest, in this case, Isn’t History — It Happened Live
As the momentum of Day 1 kept building, the action on the ground was non-stop — and one of the biggest highlights came right at midday. Africa’s largest early-stage startup pitch competition, the Supernova Challenge 2.0, took center stage at GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, electrifying the crowd with bold ideas and fearless ambition.
With an impressive equity-free prize pool of $110,000, the competition drew in some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds from across the continent. Startups pitched their groundbreaking solutions to a global audience of investors, industry leaders, and tech visionaries, each one vying not just for funding — but for the chance to scale their impact and write the next chapter in Africa’s innovation story.
Front Row Access: TechAfrica News at the Heart of the Action
As always, TechAfrica News is right at the heart of the conversation, not just reporting but actively shaping the dialogue. Today, our Founder & Chief Editor, Akim Benamara, stepped into the spotlight, moderating two power-packed panels that brought industry giants and policy shapers together on stage.
First up, the panel “Connectivity as the Foundation of the New Global Digital Economy” tackled one of the most critical pillars of Africa’s digital future. The panel began with a provocative question: “If we agree that connectivity is the foundation of the global digital economy, then which part of the foundation is currently lagging or underperforming in your view?” This sparked a robust discussion about Africa’s digital future, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure to foster innovation and economic growth.
Moderated by Akim Benamara, Founder & Chief Editor of TechAfrica News, the session featured Abderrahmane Mounir from Maroc Data Center, Dr. Mactar Seck from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Dr. Oscar Ondo from GITGE, Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh from the International Telecommunication Union, and Roque Lozano from Nokia.
Mounir stressed that Africa’s digital infrastructure requires a holistic approach, integrating connectivity, data centers, and sovereignty, all underpinned by strong regulations and human capital development. Lozano compared connectivity to a car trunk, explaining that it’s not just about capacity but trust, affordability, and a blend of technical and market solutions needed to enable full digitalization. Seck emphasized that connectivity is like a highway, essential for fostering economic integration. He highlighted Africa’s need to address affordability, rural connectivity, regulatory frameworks, and energy access to attract private sector investment and drive digital development.
“There is no alternative to digital, and no digital will be possible without a trusted, affordable connectivity platform that enables full digitalization.”
– Roque Lozano, SVP, Nokia
Ondo pointed to the importance of stable electricity for connectivity, calling for equitable access in underserved areas and urging policies, education, and regional partnerships to expand digital infrastructure. Manasseh underscored the role of strong political will, noting that governments must implement policies and regulations to make connectivity affordable and accessible, particularly in the sectors of education and healthcare.
The panel concluded by stressing that political will and strategic investments are crucial for Africa to not only improve connectivity but also drive sustainable growth and development. With these elements in place, Africa can move beyond being a passive consumer of technology and become a leader in the global digital economy.
Then, later in the day, Akim returned to the stage to guide an insightful conversation on “From Telco to TechCo.” The conversation brought together industry leaders including Dr. Krish Ranganath of Africa Data Centres, Mohamed Bennis and Didier Kla of Orange, and Mikko Lavanti of Nokia, to unpack the telecom sector’s bold evolution into technology-driven enterprises.
Mohamed Bennis emphasized that the transition is both essential and already underway, calling for more robust infrastructure and advanced digital capabilities to deliver real value for citizens, enterprises, and governments. Didier Kla noted that with traditional telecom revenue models in decline, moving into areas like cloud, AI, and cybersecurity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for long-term survival and relevance.
Mikko Lavanti shared Nokia’s approach, highlighting the company’s commitment to ethical business, worker safety, and long-term impact through corporate social responsibility initiatives. These include partnerships with local universities to build education infrastructure and nurture local talent.
Dr. Krish Ranganath added a reality check, pointing out that while partnerships are plentiful on paper, the real work lies in turning them into commercially viable solutions. He advocated for open, cost-effective models tailored to Africa’s unique context—especially to address affordability and rural inclusion.
As the panelists made clear, the shift from telco to techco is a strategic imperative, demanding not just investment in technology but also a mindset change—one rooted in collaboration, adaptability, and local relevance.
Finally, as part of our signature on-site coverage, we also wrapped up the day with engaging conversations and interviews with industry leaders from Ericsson, Enghouse Networks, Protei, Cybervergent, and Mitsumi Distribution. We discussed what they are building, their latest innovations, and how they are contributing to Africa’s tech evolution.
Stay tuned for exclusive video interviews and insights.
Sessions to Look Out for Day 2 at GITEX Africa
- 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM | Venture & Founders Summit – 10x Stage
Panel: The Gender Gap in Startups – What Can We Learn from High Female-Share Economies to Outperform the World?
Explore how Africa’s high female-share economies can bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship, driving innovation and inclusive growth.
Speakers: Élisabeth Moreno (Ring Capital, France), Jolanda Degen (Darwin Invest, Netherlands), Priscilla Gathungu (Java House Africa, Kenya), Laura Davis (Renew Capital, Ethiopia).
- 11:10 AM – 11:50 AM | Africa Future Connectivity Summit – Connect Stage
Panel: Unlocking Growth – Service Diversification and New Business Units
Discuss how telecoms can unlock growth by diversifying into fintech, IoT, cloud services, and digital media, aligning operations with market demands.
Speakers: Victor Oluwole (Business Insider Africa, Nigeria), Kamal Okba (Free Senegal, Senegal), Mohammed Azim Ansari (Saudi Telecom, Saudi Arabia), Yahia Sefraoui (INWI, Morocco), Mohamed Bakry (Cisco, UAE).
- 11:50 AM – 12:35 PM | Future of Finance Summit – Future Finance Stage
Panel: With AI, What Comes Next?
AI is revolutionizing Africa’s banking and finance sectors, improving credit scoring, fraud prevention, and customer experience. As AI evolves, its future impact on the industry will be crucial. This session will delve into current AI applications and explore its potential future influence on banking and finance.
Speakers: Aanu Adeoye (Financial Times, Nigeria), Solomon Ayodele (Wema Bank, Nigeria), Abdelaziz Benyahya (AXA Africa, Morocco), Nadia Filali (Groupe Caisse des Dépôts, France), Sami Romdhane (Visa, Morocco), Bill Yeboah Kyeremeh (Consolidated Bank Ghana, Ghana).
- 12:40 PM – 1:20 PM | Creative Economy Talks – Innovation Arena
Panel: Unlocking Africa’s Creative Economy through International Collaboration
Africa’s creative economy holds immense potential, and cross-border collaboration is key to unlocking larger market opportunities. By fostering partnerships among entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and operators, the continent can build a global creative ecosystem. This session will discuss how stakeholders can pool resources, share knowledge, and create synergies to amplify African creativity, driving sustainable growth and cultural influence.
Speakers: Aanu Adeoye (Financial Times, Nigeria), Abraham Augustine (Norrsken Foundation, Sweden), Nikky Shillingi (USIU Radio, Kenya), Souhail Wardi (Carry1st, South Africa).
- 2:05 PM – 2:35 PM | GITEX Impact – Impact Stage
Panel: The Digital Skills Gap: Bridging Academia and Industry Needs
As EdTech grows in Africa, addressing the digital skills gap is crucial to improving educational outcomes. This session will explore how equipping educators and innovators with the right tools, training, and networks can accelerate the adoption of digital learning solutions, bridging the learning gap across the continent.
Speakers: Imane Dahou (SIA, France), Prof. Salah Al-Majeed (Al Akhawayn University, Morocco), Marouan Bernoussi (Deloitte, Morocco), Salma Karim (ADD, Morocco)
