Johannesburg: TEXHz – News Desk
Day Two at MWC Kigali 2025 unfolded with a renewed sense of purpose. The halls of the Kigali Convention Centre buzzed once again with energy, as delegates, innovators, and industry leaders returned for another full day of dialogue, discovery, and partnership-building. If Day One set the vision, Day Two was about turning that vision into actionable pathways – from inclusive fintech strategies to AI systems built by and for Africa.
For the TechAfrica News team, it was another dynamic day on the ground – speaking with thought leaders, exploring exhibition booths, and engaging in conversations that revealed the ideas shaping Africa’s next digital chapter. Across every panel and keynote, one message stood out: Africa’s tech transformation is no longer theoretical; it is unfolding in real time, powered by collaboration, local ingenuity, and a growing confidence in Africa’s ability to define its own digital destiny.
Here’s a look at what Day Two had to offer – from the visionary fintech conversations that opened the day to the bold AI sessions that closed it.
One Africa, One Payment Trail: Fintech and AI Take Center Stage on Day Two
The morning opened with one of the most anticipated sessions of MWC Kigali 2025 – Africa’s Fintech Outlook: Visionary Strategies Shaping the Fintech Landscape. The discussion brought together leaders from Hydrogen Payments, Safaricom, MTN Fintech, AXIAN Fintech, Airtel Mobile Commerce, and RSwitch, exploring how innovation, interoperability, and policy are redefining the continent’s financial systems.
Setting the tone, Kemi Okusanya, CEO of Hydrogen Payments, painted a vivid picture of Africa’s fragmented payment ecosystem through the story of Mamadou, a Senegalese trader whose customers could not pay him simply because their digital systems did not connect. “We have made progress,” she said, “but the next frontier is interoperability – one Africa, fifty-plus states, and one payment trail.” She called attention to the continent’s rapid growth in digital transactions, the rise of embedded finance, and the importance of trust, cybersecurity, and regulation as fintech matures.
Kemi Okusanya, CEO, Hydrogen Payments: “As we think about the next wave, and we think about Africa, one thing I want us to leave this room with, I want us to remember that for us to crack that next growth phase, we have to think from the perspective of one Africa, 50 plus states, and one payment trail.”
“As we think about the next wave, and we think about Africa, one thing I want us to leave this room with, I want us to remember that for us to crack that next growth phase, we have to think from the perspective of one Africa, 50 plus states, and one payment trail.”
Caroline Mbugua, Director of Public Policy, GSMA Africa: “Together, we will strengthen digital governance, promote safety by design, and ensure that children and young people’s voices shape the policies that define Africa’s digital future. By working in partnership, we can position Africa as a global leader in child-centred digital governance.”
Final Day: Creativity, Connectivity, and AI in the Spotlight
After two days of thought-provoking discussions, groundbreaking announcements, and industry-defining collaborations, Day Three of MWC Kigali 2025 is set to close the event on a high note. Thursday’s sessions promise a powerful blend of creativity, connectivity, and cutting-edge technology – showcasing how Africa’s digital future is being shaped by local innovation, visionary leadership, and cross-sector collaboration.
Content is King, Queen & Everything in Between: Innovating & Elevating Africa’s Content: 09:30 – 10:45 CAT
This session explores how technology, entrepreneurship, and media innovation are shaping Africa’s creative economy, from streaming and gaming to digital art, while addressing challenges in monetization, IP, and global distribution.
Speakers: Louis Manu, Co-founder & CEO, Wi-flix / Sophie Sandra Tchatchoua, CEO, CANAL+ Rwanda / Rolivhuwa Maluma, GM – Digital Services: Marketing & Strategy, MTN Group
The AI-Enabled Telco: Charting the Course from Telco to Techco: 11:45 – 13:00 CAT
As telecom operators evolve into AI-native digital platforms, this session examines how artificial intelligence is redefining networks, customer experience, and operational efficiency. It highlights the critical role of telcos in powering AI ecosystems across industries.
Speakers: Yong Cao, Huawei Technologies / Umut C. Yetgin, Nokia / Rishal Balkissoon, MTN / Ante Mihovilovic, Ericsson
Moderator: Ondiro Oganga, Africa Correspondent, Bloomberg
Purpose-Driven Connectivity: Powering Innovation, Inclusion, and Investment for Africa’s Digital Future: 14:15 – 15:30 CAT
This discussion focuses on inclusive connectivity as the foundation for Africa’s digital progress, exploring how investment, digital skills, and supportive policies can expand access to education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship while driving innovation across sectors.
Speakers: Esther Kunda, Ministry of ICT and Innovation / Billy Stewart, British High Commission | Long Lu, ZTE
Panelists: Faeza Asad Khan, Abacus / Fargani Tambeayuk, Meta / Enzo Scarcella, MTN Group
Moderator: Nakami Walunywa, Village Capital
As MWC25 Kigali enters its final day, anticipation builds for how the event will wrap up. With sessions highlighting Africa’s creative economy, AI-enabled transformation, and purpose-driven connectivity, the conversations continue to shape the continent’s digital future.
