DAR ES SALAAM
The telecoms industry forms a crucial foundation to Africa’s economic growth affecting all aspects of the business and social sphere. The continent has seen a dramatic expansion in its telecoms sector over the past 5 years. Mobile subscription expansion in Africa is currently the fastest worldwide (72% penetration on average across the continent).
Consequently a huge amount of investment is happening to improve Africa’s infrastructure to cope with higher levels of data usage and the need for better connectivity, particularly in rural areas. For example, Algérie Télécom, in northern Africa announced plans to deploy 20,000km of additional fibre by the end of 2015.
The international telecoms community also recognises Africa as an area of high value for new business. Gagun Gahir, director of carrier services for EMEA for the American telecommunications company, IDT Corporation, said Africa “is a massive investment opportunity” with $25 billon needed “to build the next generation of internet-ready networks”.
Due to the size and scale of investment opportunities in African telecoms, wholesale telecoms carriers from across the globe meet annually at Capacity Africa, the largest pan-African wholesale conference to network, develop business and hear industry leaders deliver future commercial strategy. Taking place on 8 & 9 September in Dar es Salaam, 400+ senior telecoms executives from over 65 countries will take advantage of the entire African telecoms ecosystem being represented, all looking to secure new deals in the region’s lucrative telecoms market.
Discussing the event’s importance, Mike Last, Director, Marketing and International Business Development, WIOCC said “Capacity Africa is without a doubt the best networking event for the African wholesale telecoms industry,” adding it attracts “a very strong set of African and international carriers and creating a great environment for doing business.”
Expanding networks means increased demand for infrastructure and competition amongst operators. Regulators are playing a key role in providing stability to these operators active in the region ensuring a market driven industry. Capacity Africa recognises this, offering an agenda which brings together both the C-level executives of major telecoms organisations such as Seacom, Liquid Telecom, WIOCC as well as the regulators such as the Nigeria Communications Commission to discuss the latest growth opportunities in front of an audience made up of the key decision makers in African telecoms.
FRENCH VERSION
