The second Africa Fintech Foundry (AFF) Disrupt conference 2019 will center on the age of the digital gold rush.
The conference schedule for May 16 at Landmark Centre is meant to gather innovators and experts so that new ideas and information is exchanged; potential start-ups for acquisitions or partnership are identified.
The theme of the Conference is Digital Goldrush: Building a Sustainable Tech-Economy with sub-themes centered on how data has become the new gold, and how it enables the use of AI, Robotics, Analytics, and blockchain technology.
Ade Bajomo, executive director, Operations and IT, Access Bank Plc, said, Disrupt 2019 provides a great opportunity for innovators, founders, entrepreneurs, experts, leaders and executives to network.
“It provides a platform for innovators and entrepreneurs as well as executives to form partnerships, experts to share their knowledge, leaders to inspire the future bright minds and founders to showcase their start-ups.
He added that Disrupt 2019 conference will emphasis a big deal on collaboration.
“Collaboration between technology start-ups and large corporates is key for fostering innovation in Africa. This kind of relationship is extremely beneficial to all parties with the ecosystem. In the long run, this helps corporates enter and create new markets, while start-ups are able to develop feasible and scalable products.
“More so, AFF is open to collaborating with potential partners. Since its inception, our partners are both within local and global reach,” he said.
Olusegun Adeniyi , head, Africa Fintech Foundry, said the conference will be having creatives highlighting and promoting the gaming activities such as: Ps4 game, VR games, Interactive game – “What made You”, Idea lottery and Creative signing boards.
According to him, “the growth of technology startups in Africa is very instrumental to the survival of the continent on a larger scale. New ideas translate into new businesses, which inevitably drive employment opportunities and become an enabler of both social and economic development.
“In addition to this, these key players help ensure that the economy is diversified, as there is less concentration on one sector. Another important benefit is the increase in investments obtained by these startups from both local and international Organisations. All of these has led to more structured economy’s infrastructure, creation of more jobs and a lift in income for the average earner.”
He further explained that the Foundry has created a sustainable platform, whereby innovative and disruptive solutions are created by quality startups.
“Most importantly, it brings together key players ranging from business angels, larger corporates, venture capitalists, innovation hubs, tech enthusiasts, industry experts to a common field to solve complex problems and create a ‘wow’ effect. To summarize, the Foundry seeks to build up the business capacity of startups, support business development, and facilitate access to capital, markets, customers and global innovation partners,” he noted.