By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Correspondent Lagos

With African countries  brimming with potentials as investment in technology infrastructure becoming rife as a catalyst for economic and social transformation in the region, Big Data presents incredible opportunities in the sub-continent. Aware of this, leading conferences and events organiser, Tradepass has launched a highly insightful and interactive virtual gathering for Big Data & Analytics gurus in the region, BYTES ’21: LIVE – Africa on 20 – 21 April 2021.

African governments have taken great strides in order to implement technological as well as policy prerequisites to aid bigger impact of Big Data. Despite the setbacks from COVID-19, the Africa’s digital economy is on track to expand in the coming years, transforming the way businesses and government function.

More than 1500 data analytics and CX leaders from 350+ public and private enterprises in Africa will attend BYTES ’21 – Africa to connect and learn how to apply advanced data science techniques to unlock the benefit and turn their large and complex datasets into actionable insights within their business operations.

In line with Africa’s commitment to developing innovative approaches and new models of collaboration for digital transformation, State Minister of Ministry of Innovation and Technology in Ethiopia, His Excellency Dr. Ahmedin Mohammed (PhD), will highlight his vision towards implementing Ethiopia’s digital transformational plan at this exclusive conference.

“The Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MiNT) aims to build a digital economy by implementing digital practices and building the capacity of relevant stakeholders along the way.”

“BYTES ’21 – Africa will empower big data and AI technologies innovation and play a major role in bringing together regional and global industry leaders, top-notch tech companies and influential government officials to connect in a constructive, open-dialogue environment to explore solutions for issues hindering the big data and AI innovation”, says, Dr. Ahmedin Mohammed.

CEO, Tradepass Sudhir Jena is of the opinion, “this is an important milestone in our journey to host the biggest influential and virtual meeting point in Africa with the support of Ministry of Innovation and Technology. Moreover, the launch of BYTES ’21 in Africa stands to create a global data science ecosystem for every data and analytics professionals, with Africa positioned as the destination of choice with proactive initiative as ‘Digital Ethiopia Strategy 2025’.”

Key solution providers who have booked virtual booths to showcase their solutions are Automation Anywhere, Talkwalker, Titus, Minitab and more.

Topics of discussion include, ‘how big data can solve Africa’s biggest challenges’, ‘the principles to build healthy data-driven organisations using data science mindset’, ‘4 key pillars to fostering a data-driven culture’, ‘the growing role of AI and Big Data in healthcare’, ‘how will AI take predictive analytics to the next level’, ‘turning your enterprise data into intelligence (Power of Analytics), and many more.

Some of the high-level speakers joining the summit include:

•             State Minister, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Ahmedin Mohammed,

•             Head of Global Data & Analytics, HSBC, Krishma Singla,

•             Group Chief Data Officer, LafargeHolcim, Anurag Harsh

•             Principal Information & Data Architect, Sasol, Bhavesh Talesara

•             Chief Data Officer, Absa Bank, Hartnell Ndungi

•             Chief Data Officer, Dentsu, Paul Stemmet

•             Group Chief Data Officer, Alexander Forbes, Raymond Mahlangu

•             Head of Business Analytics, Airtel Africa, Emmanuel Lubowa

•             Executive Head of Business Advisory, The MultiChoice Group, Moloko Komane

•             Head, Data Office – African Regions, Standard Bank Group, Emmanuel Osanga

•             Head – Data Science, Absa Bank, Victor Asila

•             Head of Data, Analytics and Insights, Hollard Insurance, Jacky Mampana

•             Head of Data Science, HomeChoice International, Dino Bernicchi

•             Director – Data & Analytics, Equity Bank, Victor Adewusi

•             Data Design Authority Lead, Sasol, Mathabo Puseletso

•             Head of Big Data and Business Analytics, Safaricom, David Nyamai

•             Senior Director & Head, Global Business Analytics Center, eBay, Ashish Singru

•             Lead Data Scientist, Vodafone, Ahmed Samir Roshdy

•             Executive – Group Data Services, Nedbank, Paul Morley

•             Head Business Data Analytics and Operations Performance, Ikeja Electric, Sunny Ndubuisi Okonkwo

•             Vice President, Africa & RoW, Automation Anywhere, Sriram Narayanan

•             Head of Data Analytics, ICEA Lion Group, Martin Kariithi

•             Executive Head: Business Intelligence, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring, FNB South Africa, Nollie Maoto

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