A GSMA announced that the edition of Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa 2021, will happen in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, which will bring for the first time the main series of world events to the continent. GSMA Director General Mats Granryd announced the news during his opening speech on Thrive Africa, the GSMA's virtual event platform.
MWC Africa 2021 will bring together the leading names in business and technology to become the continent's most connected and influential event. This main event is part of the main series of MWC events of the GSMA, which includes editions in Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles.
"I am proud of what we have built with Thrive Africa and previous Mobile 360 events, which have helped shape the continent's connected digital future," says GSMA Director General Mats Granryd.
“Starting in 2021, we will celebrate MWC Africa, joining our world’s leading thought and technology leadership platform, recognizing the important role that Africa will play in our connected future.”
The GSMA also published its annual report on the sub-Saharan mobile economy to coincide with Thrive Africa. This in-depth study explores the latest data, forecasts and trends for the region. It includes a series of policy recommendations that will help ensure that the mobile internet makes the best possible contribution to the regional economy, particularly in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the fastest growing region, with 477 million mobile subscribers at the end of 2019, with an additional 137 million subscribers in the period through 2025.
Notably, 272 million are mobile internet users, representing 26% of the population. In 2019, mobile technologies and services generated 9% of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa, a contribution of more than $ 155 billion.
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device manufacturers, software companies, equipment suppliers and internet companies, as well as organizations in adjacent sectors.
To learn more about the GSMA Thrive Africa and participate in the event, click here.
