LONDON, England, January 2017 – Some of Ghana’s leading technology firms and innovators will fly in to the UK’s Capital City for the first Tech in Ghana Conference (TIGC) to be held in February 2017.
TIGC London aims to raise awareness of Ghana’s tech ecosystem and boost the profile of the country’s industry leaders among UK investors, IT suppliers and the wider tech community. As well as provide an opportunity and platform for local-global partnerships between the two territories.
The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana, Adam Afriyie, will give an opening keynote at the prestigious event, while CEO’s including WorldRemit’s Ismail Ahmed, Interpay’s Saqib Nazir, and Amar Hari of IPMC – Ghana’s biggest IT company – are also among the line-up of speakers and panelists.
Organised by AB2020, the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) and TEDxAccra, with support from the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Tech London Advocates Africa, TIGC London will take place on Monday 27th February; exactly a week before Ghana marks its 60th year of independence. The conference comes as the country embraces a recent government changeover led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has pledged to build the most business-friendly economy on the continent.
Over 100 tech leaders, experts and investors from the UK and Ghana private sector, Government officials and relative organisations are expected to attend the full day event featuring high profile keynotes; a tech initiatives showcase, and panel discussions around Mobile & FinTech, Cyber Security & Regulation, Investment & Funding, and Internet & Digital.
Adam, who attended the President’s inauguration in Ghana, says: ‘This conference will highlight the vast potential for technological innovation in Ghana. Technology will play a key role in fulfilling the new administration’s commitment to bring development and prosperity to Ghana so I am delighted to be involved in this Tech in Ghana conference. I very much look forward to welcoming a host of Ghanaian entrepreneurs, Ministers, regulators and tech companies to London for this special inaugural event which I hope will be the first of many.’
Other participants in the conference include micro insurance company BIMA; Blockchain-powered land services platform BenBen; West Africa’s most popular incubator programme Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST); makerspace and innovation hub Kumasi Hive; and TLcom Capital TIDE Africa – the first international venture capital fund focused exclusively on technology enabled services and innovation for Sub-Saharan Africa. Sponsors include international remittance company WorldRemit, and Ghana-based Fintech firm Interpay, while research specialists Asoko Insight’s Ghana team will present superior data around the country’s tech and investment landscape.
Tony Burkson, CEO of the UKGCC says: ‘Ghana has a booming technology eco-space which most experts agree will play a big role in transforming the economic fortunes of the nation. At the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, we are dedicated to showcasing the companies and individuals that make up Ghana’s vibrant and dynamic tech eco-system. TIGC London is one such occasion where the best and the brightest of Ghana’s tech sector will be meeting with partners and investors in London to share ideas, network and plot the future of the eco-system. UKGCC hopes that all the key players in this sector will be able to join us for this memorable event.’
Elorm Segbe a, Trade Development Manager at DIT adds: ‘DIT Ghana is excited at the opportunity to highlight the strides being made in Ghana’s tech sector. As we strive to encourage and support British business in Ghana, we believe the Tech in Ghana conference will undoubtedly encourage those who were not previously aware of the massive opportunity to consider Ghana as a booming market ripe for investments. DIT is a proud partner of the Tech in Ghana conference and we trust it will be more than a worthwhile experience.’
TIGC founder and creator of AB2020 Akosua Annobil concludes: ‘The vision of this conference was to bring Ghana’s tech leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, influencers and investors under one roof with their peers in London – a city passionate about the tech sector and forming global partnerships. Through this collaboration with the UKGCC, DIT and other strategic partners and sponsors such as WorldRemit and Interpay, we’ve been able to make this concept a reality, and are very excited to stage what will surely be an informative and momentous event – the first of its kind in the UK.’
The Tech in Ghana Conference London will be held on Monday 27th February at international law firm Addleshaw Goddard in the City of London, from 8am to 6pm. Secure your seat here.
