Keynote Panel: Strengthening Connectivity for the AI Era

Connectivity outages caused by damaged undersea cables have caused huge disruption across the continent throughout 2024, underscoring vulnerabilities of the continent's digital infrastructure.

Africa faces a dual challenge: strengthening existing networks to meet rising customer demands while expanding connectivity to stay competitive in the global AI landscape. With the funding gap expected to hit $100B by 2030 due to increasing bandwidth demand from enterprise transformation and a rising consumer class, TMT sectors must invest significantly while ensuring affordable, reliable services.

This panel discusses how innovative financing and collaboration can support the development of a robust digital network, while also bridging the rural-urban divide to unlock the potential of underserved areas.

• Government support: learn how African governments can align with digital stakeholders to support future infrastructure investments and extend connectivity to the rural underserved.

• Promoting digital sovereignty: unpacking the role of the private sector in achieving digital sovereignty through diversification and strategic partnership.