By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Zoho Nigeria, Digital Encode Limited, Inq.Digital, Notion Technologies limited have thrown their weight behind the third edition of the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 3.0) to be held  November 8,  2023 at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, south west, Nigeria.

Themed: “Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) in Emerging Economy”, AfriTECH 3.0 is also supported by Comercio Limited, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Datasixth Security Consulting, PalmPay, Reliance Infosystem, Digital Realty,ActivEdge Technologies, Africa Data Centres (ADC), WTES, ESET and host of others.

Hosted by TechCastle Foundation in collaboration with Techeconomy and partners, AfriTECH 3.0 is a unique engagement platform for global thought leaders, regulators, and other stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on contemporary strategies for accelerating technology ecosystem in the African continent and globally.

Speaking ahead of the Forum next week, co-convener of AfriTECH, Chike Onwuegbuchi reiterated that today, the boundary between hardware and software was blurring. According to Mr. Onwuegbuchi, software was infiltrating more and more technology products that used to function only by mechanical rules and analog signals.

Said he: “Different models of driverless cars are navigating themselves with sensors and software. This trend is not stopping. Hardware-based technology companies often find themselves falling behind their innovative software counterparts in identifying new value for customers.

“In more dramatic cases categories of hardware technology got replaced by software. No one still buys radio or CD players anymore.

Thus, software is threatening to replace hardware-based networking. The “commoditization trap” for hardware seems impossible to escape without a product strategy backed by software innovation hence over 70 per cent of the world economy has become services, and this percentage continues to grow worldwide.”

As of 2020 the United States produced 79 per cent of its GDP in services. Majority of the companies in Africa are strategizing to compete primarily on a service basis.

This approach referred to as Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS), which is the rising future for technology sectors, will be discussed at AfriTECH 3.0.

Programmes expected at AfriTECH 3.0 include keynotes by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO(EVC/CEO), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida &  CEO, Open Access Data Centre (OADC), Dr. Ayotunde Coker, goodwill messages by industry stakeholders, fireside chat, commercial presentations/product launch and media sessions.

The prestigious Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards will be conferred on individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in Africa by leveraging technology to enrich the lives of the people.

“Other key topics to be explored include TaaS-driven last mile solutions, leveraging big data and artificial intelligence, inclusive product innovation, Driving ‘TaaS’ Model through infrastructure deployment, leveraging subscription model to survive tough economic times, cloud computing, omnichannel communications for improved CX, Consumer protection, fraud and data privacy, etc”,  the co-convener of AfriTECH, Peter Oluka said.

“The past editions of AfriTECH were well attended by C-Suite executives, investors, innovators, senior government officials from within and outside the Continent. With over 1,500 participants and feedback on the events overwhelmingly positive, the 2023 edition is much anticipated.

As Media partners, The Guardian Newspaper (Nigeria), Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, RaveNewsOnline.com, ITPulse.com.ng, ITNews Nigeria, Swift Reporters, TechBuild.Africa, TechTrends.Africa, BusinessMetricsng.com, BusinessRemarks, DigitalTimesng.com, ITRealms.com.ng, GrassRoots.ng, TechTv, TechLifeWithUgo, DigiVation Network; TechnologyMirror, TechandBiz News; APNews, Cyber Era NG, have demonstrated their support towards AfriTECH 3.0 actualization.

AfriTECH 3.0 is also backed by leading industry associations such as the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS); Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ATLTON); Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON); Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN); InnovationBed Africa; Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), amongst others.

“Overall, AfriTECH 3.0 promises to be an insightful and engaging platform for networking with a vibrant and globally diverse community and an eclectic mix of offerings to enrich participants’ in-person and/or virtual experience”, Oluka added.