Despite the sweltering 27-degree heat in Marrakesh, thousands of attendees in sophisticated attire flooded Boulevard Al Yarmouk, significantly impacting pedestrian flow.
Today marks the commencement of GITEX, the premier technology and startup showcase in Africa.
In the realm of technology, descriptors like “largest” often appear as mere hyperbole. However, the expansive venue and substantial day-one crowd lend credence to GITEX’s assertion.
“Last year’s venue was half this size,” commented an attendee from the 2023 event, referring to the immense tents housing hundreds of exhibitors. The 2023 event attracted 25,000 participants, and this week, organizers aim to double that figure. The numerous GITEX buses shuttling attendees from major city hotels to the venue indicate a successful outcome. The name tags, displaying participants’ origins, represent a roll call of every African nation.
The enormity of the exhibition hall is staggering—GITEX has long been a premier tech exhibition—and traversing it can easily help you achieve 10,000 daily steps. The presence of globally renowned companies such as Huawei, PwC, Visa, and McKinsey underscores the event’s prestige. Furthermore, the exhibition features a multitude of startups spanning sectors like foodtech, healthtech, mobility, fintech, and cleantech.
Directly across from TechCabal’s booth, Social Convert, an early-stage startup, converts social media engagement into tangible earnings. Nearby, Focus Messenger organizes organizational messages by topic, filing them into designated folders. With over 30,000 attendees gathered in one venue, the advertising potential is substantial.
In the restroom, a sticker on the tap highlights the absence of a native African social media platform and invites users to sign up. Numerous innovative startups are present, eager to demonstrate their unique solutions to various challenges across the continent.
Affirming its cutting-edge focus, GITEX Africa 2024 prominently features artificial intelligence (AI), the global hot topic of the year.
Among the eight stages hosting a wide range of panel discussions, one is dedicated to AI.
“Are you familiar with the figure $15.7 trillion?” a speaker asks the audience, referencing the projected contribution of AI to the global GDP. The audience appears engaged, acknowledging this as the future trajectory of technology.
At the Elevate stage, ten startups compete to convince a panel to award them the $100,000 prize sponsored by Tawilcom. While many pitches revolve around financial technology, most speakers strategically incorporate mentions of artificial intelligence. “They’re trying to avoid the fintech label,” observes an attendee listening to the pitch competition.
At the Future of Fintech stage, a panel discussion is underway in French, featuring speakers from Niger and the DRC.
The presence of Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of Morocco, and other government officials underscored the significant support behind the event. Signs throughout the venue and images of His Majesty King Mohammed VI on all stages emphasize the high patronage under which this event is held. The government’s capability to host an event of this scale is truly commendable.
Source: Techcabal