InspiringFifty Africa was a distinguished awards ceremony focusing on recognising the top fifty women who are making significant strides within the African tech ecosystem.

Our esteemed judges unveiled the winners during a prestigious reception on 10 November.

EQL:HER returned to Africa Tech Festival, hosting a dedicated networking space for women and allies to come together, connect, and share their experiences.

Attendees engaged in Q&As with main stage speakers, listened to intimate fireside chats, and joined power hour networking sessions, which were co-hosted over the three days with Digital Council Africa, WomHub, and Inspiring African Women NPC.

An opportunity to engage with experienced founders and seasoned investors in an intimate setting before the main event, participants explored powerful insights on topics like fundraising, growth hacks, and go-to-market strategies that supercharged their journeys.

The day wrapped up with an exclusive mixer, where they shared insights, exchanged ideas, and discussed potential future collaborations.

In the heart of South Africa, TechAfrica News celebrated the spirit of unity and collaboration with an extraordinary Networking Night during AfricaCom. Aptly named “Hamwe,” which translates to “together” in Kinyarwanda, the event embodied the essence of collective strength and the power of partnerships, laying the foundation for a brighter future for Africa.

At the core of the “Hamwe” Networking Night was the profound belief that unity is the key to Africa’s progress. On a continent abundant with diversity and untapped potential, forging meaningful partnerships and connections was not just important; it was imperative. Together, attendees overcame challenges and fostered innovation to propel Africa forward

BDC Cape Town explored how broadband reshaped Africa's digital landscape and unlocked new opportunities across industries. This dynamic event delved into the current state of broadband in Africa and addressed critical questions: How can investment in the region be accelerated? What are the unique challenges in broadband deployment? And, critically, how can AI help close the digital divide and address social challenges?

The event featured keynote speeches, engaging panel discussions, and interactive sessions with leading telecom operators, policymakers, regulators, service providers, and industry analysts. It offered attendees valuable insights into key digital service opportunities and the path toward a more connected Africa, putting them at the forefront of shaping Africa's digital future.

The USAID Young African Leaders Initiative hosted the YALI Alumni Expo and Trade Show alongside Africa Tech Festival. The YALI Expo convened, connected, and celebrated YALI alumni who are making positive changes in their communities by creating networking opportunities and showcasing innovations for sustainable impact.

The Young African Leaders Initiative, created in 2010 by President Barack Obama, was the U.S. government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. YALI showcased the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthening ties between the people of the United States and Africa. Through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the Regional Leadership Centers, and the YALI Network, YALI promoted effective public administration, fostered entrepreneurship and business opportunities, and cultivated civic leadership.

The Unique Summit brought together start-ups, investors, ecosystem builders, and policymakers to build a vibrant, connected start-up ecosystem. By creating an environment for collaboration, the meetup enabled participants to explore new ideas and build valuable partnerships. It served as a space for sharing, learning, and connecting with leaders from various sectors.

Hosted by UVU Africa and StartupCities Cape Town, this year’s summit, themed "Transforming Investment" was a global meetup where transformative ideas converged, partnerships were forged, and innovation thrived.

South Africa's tech innovators, founders, investors, creators, and ecosystem leaders connected at an evening of vibrant networking, thought-provoking conversations, and meaningful connections. They dived into discussions about the fast-growing tech landscape, investment hotspots, and the media’s role in the ecosystem.

Highlights included:
🚀 Insights into South Africa’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem
💰 Exploration of investment opportunities within the space
💌 Engaging conversations on the role of media and community in African tech

Exclusive Bonus: Guests discovered Cape Town's local gems! In partnership with Yoco, they enjoyed a curated boutique market featuring unique small businesses, adding a local flavour to the networking experience.

After fruitful stops in Nigeria and Kenya, where they met incredible founders, 54 Collective connected with more of Africa’s innovators at Africa Tech Festival!

Early-stage African tech founders creating scalable, impactful solutions in Africa were invited to join The Ventures Kitchen - a unique, hands-on culinary experience held on the sidelines of the Africa Tech Festival.

Participants enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon where founders and investors swapped stories, shared insights, and sparked new ideas - all while cooking side-by-side. The event provided an inspiring setting to connect with Africa’s tech minds and the 54 Collective team, celebrating collaboration, innovation, and community.

This memorable experience fostered the spirit to #BuildWithoutBoundaries and created lasting network effects

AWS ran a “Cloud Essentials for Business Leaders Course” covering the fundamental concepts of cloud computing and how a cloud strategy can help companies meet their critical business objectives. The course included a site visit of Cape Town’s AWS Skills Centre.

The U.S. Government hosted a series of events and panels to highlight U.S. engagements in the region, with a focus on their efforts to advance the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, and contribute to strengthening the digital ecosystem in collaboration with our African partners