Cape Town: Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com), the longest running and most influential tech event on the continent, has announced the first wave of 25 headline speakers for its 2025 edition, bringing together influential voices from global tech, government, and business who are driving the growth and transformation of Africa’s digital economy.
According to African Press Organization, the 2025 speaker line-up features some of the most influential voices in global technology and African business leadership. Among them is Bernardo Mariano Junior, Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Information Technology Officer at the United Nations, who brings a global governance perspective to digital development. Mark Elliott, President for Africa at Mastercard, will offer insights into advancing inclusive finance across the continent. Representing the frontier of artificial intelligence, Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Senior Director and Head of Africa at OpenAI, will contribute to conversations around AI adoption and policy readiness in African markets.
Also speaking is Odunayo Eweniyi, a prominent tech entrepreneur and investor, serving as Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of PiggyVest and General Partner at First Capital, who will share perspectives on fintech growth and funding in Africa. From the telecoms and enterprise space, Tumi Chamayou, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN South Africa, and Ravi Bhat, Chief Technology and Solutions Officer at Microsoft Africa, will explore enterprise innovation and the role of strategic partnerships in enabling digital infrastructure.
“We’re excited to share a speaker roster that truly represents the diversity of experience shaping Africa’s tech future,” said Kadi Diallo, Portfolio Manager for Africa Tech Festival. “These are individuals who are actively working to improve systems, close gaps, and build digital infrastructure that works for everyone.”
This year, attendees will also notice a bold new look and feel as the event unveils its refreshed branding. This marks the start of a new era for the Africa Tech Festival—one that reflects the scale, ambition, and innovation of the continent’s thriving tech ecosystem.
Following the success of 2024, Africa Tech Festival will continue to provide in-depth discussions on national digital strategies, economic growth, infrastructure, and public-private collaboration. Although a formal partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is still under consideration, last year’s engagement with senior government officials led to meaningful policy dialogue. Now in its third decade, the Festival remains a key platform for shaping Africa’s digital transformation through informed debate, investment, and strategic partnerships.
