Africa Gathering: hands on with Africa’s disruptive thinkers

Africa’s meteoric rise in the tech space is showing not signs of stopping. That’s a good a thing. The continent is moving fast to join this world’s movers and shakers of technology.

According to the organisers of the Africa Gathering conference believe that there is a strong surge in Africa for makers, disruptors and female innovators.

The conference is touted as a movement to see African ideas and innovations recognised, used and celebrated. The event brings people together to share knowledge, debate issues and learn from each other. Africa Gathering events, held in London, Washington and Nairobi — bring “together African change-makers and all those passionate about Africa’s development”.

Branding its annual London conference a “hands-on technology: rise of the makers, the dynamic and the disruptive thinkers in Africa” — the event wants to explore these trends.

According to event co-founder Marieme Jamme, the event will “demonstrate how African innovators — especially women – are taking the lead in developing amazing local technological solutions. We also aim to demystify the relationship between investors and African entrepreneurs.”

The event has lined up a group of speakers it hopes would help unpack the trends emerging in Africa around women and disruptive thinkers. Speakers include Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, UK leading Space Scientist, Caroline Whaley of the Nike Foundation, Caroline Kende-Robb, executive Director of the Africa Progress Panel, Ken Banks, founder of Frontline SMS, Jamilia Abass (Kenya) and Vera Kwakofi, Current Affairs Editor at BBC Africa.