MEST Take Africa Tech Summit to Nigeria

AB2020 are proud to be an official media partner for the second edition of the MEST-hosted Africa Tech Summit, set to be held in Lagos this December.

Following the successful inaugural event that AB2020 attended in Ghana last year, the Africa Tech Summit (ATS) is fast becoming the marquee technology event on the continent. Introduced through a series of themed panels and keynote presentations, this year’s ATS discussions will identify and explore the key players and innovations sweeping across Africa.

MEST founder Jorn Lyseggen says: ‘Africa is fast becoming a destination for top technology companies and players. Global brands and personalities like Mark Zuckerberg and Y Combinator have visited and invested in the continent in recent months, and Lagos in particular is on its way to becoming an influential stage in the global tech space. We’re especially excited to host ATS in a city and a country that we believe is really going to take off.’

Pulling in the brightest minds in the field, this year’s speakers include some of the biggest names in the tech and mobile space, including representatives from Google, Uber, Vodacom and Samsung, as well as a range of African entrepreneurs from leading companies Interswitch, Iroko, Main One and many more.

Katie Sarro, Managing Director of MEST says: ‘MEST places a strong emphasis on curating the right crowd. ATS attracts an impressive list of attendees across from telcos, banks, multinational tech giants, entrepreneurs, investors and media. This year’s summit promises attendees the opportunity to drive forward new ideas and forge relationships with the some of the brightest minds in the field.’

New to this year’s program is a MEST Demo Day on December 7 where MEST’s top portfolio companies will pitch in front of a range of investors. ATS also coincides with MEST’s recent launch of the Lagos Incubator, which currently has a portfolio of five startups sitting in Nigeria.

MEST Lagos Incubator General Manager Neku Atawodi says: ‘I’m thrilled about the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s vibrant tech scene as well as comparing and learning from others across the region. ATS is a great venue for bringing the different pockets of Sub-Saharan Africa together in one place, under one roof, for two days of exchanging ideas.’

This year’s panel topics include: comparing tech landscapes across regions, building the infrastructure to support Africa’s ambitions, leaders in fintech, developments in agritech, corporate venture capitalism and investing in African tech.

The second annual ATS will take place 6-7 December in Lagos, Nigeria. To get your early bird ticket, and more information visit the ATS website.