AfricaCom 2019 gets boost from Africa’s digital experts

“As Africa’s leading video entertainment business through Showmax, DStv and GOtv, we believe that digital streaming is the fastest, most progressive form of content consumption on the continent,” says MCG Group Executive for Corporate Affairs, Joe Heshu. “It’s another example of how we have evolved the technology and content of our brand over the past 30 years, in line with infrastructure development and changing consumer viewing patterns and demographics.”

As the biggest telecoms and technology event on the continent, AfricaCom brings together business leaders from the world of communications, enterprise digital transformation, ICT policy, broadcasting and digital media.

“Entertainment connects all corners of our continent, and bridges multiple gaps,” Heshu explains. “Our continued investment in local content, talent development and innovative infrastructure strengthens a critical path to enable digital transformation. It also empowers more people and enterprises to participate in Africa’s thriving digital economy.”

The panel of experts from the MCG team who will be participating in presentations and discussions at the conference include:

• Yolisa Phahle: MultiChoice Group – CEO for General Entertainment      
• John Ugbe: MultiChoice Nigeria – CEO  
• Niclas Ekdahl: MultiChoice Group – CEO for Connected Video
• Busola Tejumola: MultiChoice Nigeria – Executive Head of Content       
• Graeme Cumming: MultiChoice Group – Head of Connected Video Product Development

In addition, MCG will be hosting a live-stream panel discussion at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit. The panel will be facilitated by Hulisani Ravele, while South Africa’s Honourable Minister of Communications, Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams will be a special guest at the event. The panel experts will be exploring what the Fourth Industrial Revolution means for Africa and how AI is shaping the face of business as we move towards an African 2025 marketplace.

The panelists at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit are:

• Irene Kiwia: Founder/CEO - Frontline Media Management Africa
• Baratang Miya: Founder and CEO, GirlHype      

• Graeme Cumming: MultiChoice Group – Head of Connected Video Product Development

• John Kamara: Director, Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa (MIIA)    

Visitors to the MCG stand will be provided with a complimentary voucher for a 30-day trial on Showmax.

“We hope that our participation enables us to connect to like-minded businesses on the continent. Ultimately, this will enable more consumers to be connected through streaming to content and it extends our footprint, products, services and content offering,” Heshu concludes.

The theme of the 2019 conference is “Accelerating business transformation to strengthen African economies” with an emphasis on bringing together the connectivity champions critical to enabling digital transformation in Africa. The conference anticipates attracting 15 000 attendees, 500 exhibitors and 450 speakers.

For more information, visit AfricaCom's website.