MEF Programme Director Anzelle Robertson shares an overview of last week’s MEF Leadership Forum Africa in Cape Town, where industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders met to explore the evolving challenges facing Africa’s telecommunications landscape.
On 13 November 2024, Cape Town hosted the Mobile Ecosystem Forum Leadership Forum, a vibrant gathering of industry leaders and innovators to explore the evolving mobile and telecommunications landscape across Africa. The afternoon was filled with engaging discussions, thought-provoking insights, and forward-looking strategies aimed at driving innovation, security, and inclusion in the digital ecosystem. Here’s a snapshot of the sessions that shaped this dynamic event.
Securing the Future of RCS Communication
The event kicked off with a compelling session on the future of Rich Communication Services (RCS). With Apple now supporting RCS and projections of 2.1 billion active RCS users globally by 2025, the discussion highlighted the challenges of safeguarding this expanding ecosystem. Experts shared their experiences protecting RCS services over the past eight years, addressing issues such as spam, scams, and fraud in rich media messaging. The session closed with predictions on future security challenges and strategies for building a safer RCS environment.
A standout session focused on “Women in Payments: Connecting Africa,” celebrating the transformative role of female leaders in the mobile payments industry. Panelists shared their journeys and tackled topics like gender biases, limited representation, and access to leadership roles“
The Evolving Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) Market in South Africa
A spotlight was placed on the Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) landscape, with a focus on its critical role in enabling frictionless digital content consumption. As WASPA celebrated its 20th anniversary, panelists emphasized the importance of a self-regulated market and collaboration among Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Payment Aggregators, and Digital Content Service Providers. Discussions highlighted how a trusted and compliant ecosystem can enhance customer experience, combat fraud, and unlock the full potential of DCB services in South Africa.
The Role of Women in Shaping Africa’s Digital Ecosystem
A standout session focused on “Women in Payments: Connecting Africa,” celebrating the transformative role of female leaders in the mobile payments industry. Panelists shared their journeys and tackled topics like gender biases, limited representation, and access to leadership roles. They highlighted how increasing female participation fosters innovation, enhances consumer trust, and promotes financial inclusion, ultimately driving Africa’s digital transformation.
The Evolving Telecom Security Landscape
Security was a recurring theme throughout the forum, with a dedicated session exploring the state of telecom network, voice, and messaging security. Experts discussed the effectiveness of firewalls, challenges of combating fraud, and the role of regulatory frameworks in protecting revenue streams. The session also touched on emerging opportunities in the telecom space and the future of security solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges.
Africa’s Voice and Messaging Solutions
Exploring Africa’s voice wholesale terminations and global messaging solutions, participants tackled the challenges facing carriers and enterprises. Discussions centered on optimizing voice services, improving messaging reliability, and delivering seamless communication experiences for end-users, vital for enhancing connectivity across the continent.
Telecom Innovation and Collaboration
A forward-looking panel examined Africa’s telecommunications and technology landscape, focusing on how enterprise solutions and innovative technologies are bridging the digital divide. Panelists stressed the importance of collaboration between regulators and industry players to foster a supportive environment for growth, accessibility, and economic development.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
The forum concluded with a convergence of key panels, summarizing the day’s most impactful takeaways and offering insights into the future of telecommunications and digital ecosystems in Africa. From enabling financial inclusion to tackling security challenges, the discussions provided a roadmap for fostering a resilient and connected continent.
The MEF Leadership Forum served as a powerful platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and inspiration. Stay tuned for updates on the next MEF event and join us in shaping the future of Africa’s digital and telecommunications landscape!
MEF Leadership Forum Africa – On Demand
Welcome to Cape Town for the MEF Leadership Forum Africa, an essential gathering of industry pioneers, innovators, and stakeholders dedicated to navigating Africa’s dynamic telecommunications landscape. Sponsored by LANCK Telecom, ENEA, and Infobip, this premier event will address the transformative trends, challenges, and opportunities reshaping voice, messaging, anti-fraud efforts, and enterprise omnichannel communications across the continent. Join us in shaping the future of telecommunications and creating new opportunities across the continent.
Watch on demand now >
