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Event details

MEF Leadership Forum Africa: Navigating the Future of Communications in Africa

Join us on November 13th in Cape Town for the MEF Leadership Forum Africa, a premier event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to tackle the evolving challenges and seize the opportunities within Africa’s telecommunications landscape. Sponsored by LANCK Telecom, ENEA, and Infobip, this forum will delve into the critical issues shaping the continent’s voice, messaging, anti-fraud, and enterprise omnichannel communications sectors.

Discover how Apple’s recent support for RCS is set to transform digital interactions and learn from our panel of experts who will share insights gained from eight years of RCS protection, addressing security vulnerabilities and anticipated future challenges. Explore the evolving Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) market in South Africa, celebrating WASPA’s two decades of consumer protection and self-regulation, as mobile operators and content providers discuss strategies to enhance trust and collaboration.

The forum will also shine a spotlight on the vital role women play in driving innovation within Africa’s mobile payments ecosystem, confront pressing issues of fraud in telecom security, and examine strategies for optimizing voice and messaging services. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how innovation, regulatory collaboration, and a commitment to diversity are essential for fostering a resilient digital economy in Africa. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with thought leaders and help shape the future of telecommunications across the continent.

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Our Speakers

Anzelle Robertson

Anzelle Robertson

Program Director: DCB, Content & Advertising

MEF

Jacqui Jones

Jacqui Jones

CEO

Worldplay

Misha Matee

Misha Matee

Partnering Digital & Lifestyle Services

Vodacom

Mounia Terhzaz

Mounia Terhzaz

General Director - Africa

Digital Virgo

Oreratile Itumeleng

Oreratile Itumeleng

Digital Strategy & GTM Manager

MTN

Samantha McMurtrie

Samantha McMurtrie

CEO

ViaMedia

Alexander Vavilov

Alexander Vavilov

Market Manager - AFRICA

LANCK Telecom

Andrew Egan

Andrew Egan

Sales Director

Infobip

Cilliers Niemann

Cilliers Niemann

Account Manager, South Africa

Digital Virgo

Craig Selby

Craig Selby

Director of Tech Deals and Strategic Sourcing

Infobip

David Hudson

David Hudson

Managing Director

CFM Africa

Deshbandhu Bansal

Deshbandhu Bansal

Chief Operating Officer

Comviva

Inderpal Mumick

Inderpal Mumick

CEO

Dotgo

James Mcnab

James Mcnab

Chairman of the Board

WASPA

Jon Hoehler

Jon Hoehler

Head of Digital Content

MTN SOUTH AFRICA

Matt Ekram

Matt Ekram

Advisor

MEF

Monwabisi Mabude

Monwabisi Mabude

Senior Manager – WASP, Interconnect & International Services

Telkom SA

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo

Supervisor, African Union Development Agency

NEPAD

Samuel Foster Chiwanda

Samuel Foster Chiwanda

CEO and Founder

Click Mobile

Simeon Coney

Simeon Coney

VP - Business Development

ENEA AB

Sizo Nkosi

Sizo Nkosi

Telco Carrier Relations Manager

Infobip

Thokozani Mvelase

Thokozani Mvelase

CEO

COMRiC

Waheed Adam

Waheed Adam

Executive Chairperson

iTouch

Open Event

Event Info

Date

13/11/2024

Time

14:00 – 19:00
SAST

Type

Welcome Remarks

With Apple now supporting RCS, the predicted growth in its usage is set to skyrocket ( 2.1 bn active RCS users globally by 2025). But RCS is not a fully secure and safe environment, so please join us as we share our insights and experiences from protecting RCS services over the past 8 years. We’ll be covering the following topics: Attacks and abuses observed on RCS, How Rich Media is used in spam, scams and frauds, The challenges facing protection strategies and Our predictions for future RCS security challenges

This panel will delve into the evolving Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) market in South Africa, with a focus on its significance for premium-rated subscription services and digital content subscriptions. As mobile payments gain traction, DCB serves as a key enabler for frictionless digital content consumption. The discussion will emphasize the role of a self-regulated market, especially in light of the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. WASPA has been instrumental in setting industry standards and safeguarding consumers. Panelists, including representatives from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Payment Aggregators, and Digital Content Service Providers, will discuss how continued collaboration among stakeholders is vital for maintaining a trusted ecosystem, enhancing customer experience, and tackling issues such as fraud and regulatory challenges. The conversation will reflect on WASPA’s contributions and the future of self-regulation in the local DCB landscape.

Join Infobip and other industry experts for an engaging session on the evolving landscape of telecom security across Africa. We’ll explore the effectiveness of firewalls, limitations of current solutions, and the role of regulatory frameworks in combating fraud. This discussion will also address the impact of fraud on revenue leakage and potential opportunities for new revenue streams, as well as what the future holds for telecom security in the region.

This panel will spotlight the critical role of women in shaping Africa’s mobile payments industry and digital ecosystem, from Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) to mobile money solutions. As digital financial services continue to bridge economic gaps across the continent, female leaders and innovators are driving transformative change. The discussion will address the unique challenges women face in the industry—such as limited representation, gender biases, and access to leadership roles—while also highlighting the opportunities unlocked by a diverse workplace. Panelists will share insights on how increasing female participation in the mobile payments sector can foster innovation, enhance customer trust, and promote financial inclusion, ultimately driving the continent’s digital transformation forward.

Explore how RCS is transforming digital interaction across Africa

Africa’s telecom industry is at a pivotal juncture. Discussions will focus on the current state of voice wholesale terminations and global messaging solutions, addressing the unique challenges faced by carriers and enterprises across the continent. Participants will explore strategies to optimize voice services, enhance messaging reliability, and ensure seamless communication experiences for end-users.

This session will explore Africa’s telecommunications and technology landscape, focusing on how enterprise solutions, service providers, small and medium businesses, and technology innovation are reshaping the industry. Panelists will discuss the importance of collaboration among regulators and industry players to create a supportive environment for growth, innovation, and accessibility. Attendees will gain insights into strategies that drive economic development, address enterprise needs, and encourage innovative solutions that bridge the digital divide, fostering a resilient and connected Africa.

We will convergence and bring back our key panels to reflect their key takeaways from today’s forum and provide insight and looking ahead to the future Telecommunications and the various ecosystems in Africa

MEF