Attendees of the 2024 Africa Tech Festival immersed themselves in thought-provoking panel discussions which explored the future of technology and innovation. During the vibrant and exciting two-day festival that was held in Cape Town, there were many impressive and insightful panel discussions but one that stood out was titled “Driving Corporate Innovation: Leadership Insights from Africa’s Top CEOs”.  

The panel featured four of Africa’s prominent business leaders: Hardy Pemhiwa the President and CEO of Cassava Technologies, Ian Merrington the Group CEO of UVU Africa, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa the CEO of NASPERS (South Africa) and President Ntuli the Managing Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (South Africa). 

Panellists shed light on how African businesses can reimagine their strategies to drive sustainable growth and create meaningful change. Here is a roundup of key themes and perspectives that were unpacked. 

Innovation is Rooted in Problem-Solving 

Hardy Pemhiwa critiqued the overuse of the term “innovation,” and urged business leaders to rather focus on identifying real problems and designing cost-effective, impactful solutions. Through, Cassava Technologies, he said they are building digital infrastructure that is not only connecting Africa but also democratising access to jobs and education. 

“For us, it’s about bringing access to digital technologies and employment opportunities,” Pemhiwa explained. 

He strongly believes that the transformative role of leadership is in leveraging digital tools to tackle challenges in agriculture, education, and youth unemployment. He also warned against complacency in this critical decade for Africa’s digital growth. 

Recruiting for Disruption 

As UVU Africa proudly celebrates 25 years of driving impact and fostering future-fit, inclusive societies through technology and innovation across Africa, its presence at the event was marked by powerful contributions. Ian Merrington was among six esteemed speakers from UVU Africa who engaged in candid, authentic, and impactful conversations. Leaders from UVU Bio, CAPACITI, and UVU Accelerate also took the stage, sharing insightful topics and solutions that highlight the organisation’s legacy of excellence and forward-thinking vision. 

During the discussion titled Driving Corporate Innovation, Ian pointed out that to cultivate a team capable of driving innovation, tech leaders and innovators must start with recruiting individuals who embody an entrepreneurial mindset. He said that traditional hiring models that avoid “disruptive” candidates are not conducive to innovation.  He urged companies to actively recruit people that are comfortable with ambiguity, risk, and creative problem-solving. “By fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, companies can encourage creativity and fresh perspectives,” he advised.  

He also spoke about the importance of actively creating a culture where generational diversity thrives. Under his guidance, UVU Africa adopted reverse mentoring, a concept where younger employees educate senior staff about emerging trends and technological shifts. He said that this cross-generational exchange allows companies to stay informed about the latest trends, ensuring they are responsive to the evolving needs of future consumers.  “In order to build a culture of resilience and diversity; office spaces, incentives, and reward structures play a role in building an environment where creative thinking and risk-taking is encouraged,” he concluded.  

Technology for Meaningful Impact 

Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, highlighted the transformative role that technology and innovation plays in improving lives across Africa and beyond. Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies are being used to drive efficiency, sustainability, and inclusivity while positioning Africa as a key player in global innovation.  She made an example about how NASPERS is strategically using agri-tech to foster sustainable agricultural practices while improving efficiency and livelihoods.  

“Technology is not just about efficiency but it’s also about creating a positive impact in people’s lives. It’s about ensuring that more families have access to agriculture and that we are producing agricultural goods in the most sustainable manner,” she said. 

Phuthi believes a strong emphasis should be placed on digital skills training for young Africans to prepare them for an AI-driven world. She also encouraged entrepreneurs and businesses to aspire towards leveraging meaningful technology to drive growth and societal benefit. 

Call for Collaboration, and Speed in Africa’s Tech Growth 

President Ntuli called on African leaders to adopt the use of advanced technologies like AI and cloud computing into their businesses. “Africa can bypass the growing pains of established tech regions by directly adopting advanced technologies,” he advised.  

He also expressed his frustration with slow policy implementation and constant changes in strategies because as a tech leader, it’s stressful for him that in a couple of years, policies might change again.  

“Technology is supposed to move faster, yet we’re bogged down by bureaucracy,” he said.  His call to action was for leaders to talk less and execute more to help Africa seize the moment and leverage on existing opportunities.  

UVU Africa’s Thought Leaders Took Centre Stage at Africa Tech Festival  

In 2024, UVU Africa proudly celebrates 25 years of driving impact and fostering future-fit, inclusive societies through technology and innovation; having a strong presence at the Africa Tech Festival showcased a legacy of excellence and visionary leadership. UVU Africa’s speakers brought compelling insights to the stage, highlighting unwavering commitment to addressing critical challenges and shaping a brighter future for the continent. 

Chesarae  Pillay, Head of Digital at CAPACITI, explored how artificial intelligence can bridge educational gaps in underserved areas in a discussion titled Educational Equity Through AI: Tools for Advancing Education in Underserved Areas. Fiona Tabraham, CEO of CAPACITI, unpacked the importance of “Unlocking Potential in African Tech Talent,” while Kelly Gifford, Programmes Head at Injini, tackled “Transforming Education: EdTech for Africa’s Youth.” 

Adding to the impactful dialogue, Chanel Oldfield, COO of CAPACITI, discussed strategies on “Building a Future-Ready Workforce,” and Lara Rosmarin, Head of UVU Accelerate, shared valuable insights on “How to Accelerate Female-Founded Startups.” Together, these thought leaders underscored UVU Africa’s dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and progress across the continent. 

Attendees were Informed and Empowered 

This year’s Africa Tech Festival was a celebration of innovation and collaboration. From exploring the role of AI in education to championing Africa’s tech talent and empowering female-founded startups, representatives from UVU Africa showcased our dedication to an inclusive tech landscape. As the festival concluded, attendees left inspired, with fresh ideas and actionable insights to navigate the world of African tech. We’re already looking forward to next year’s festival and continuing these meaningful conversations.