Connecting Africa is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

Enterprise

How East Africa's Tech SMEs are Branching Out

Article Image
Technology SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) have been thriving in East Africa in recent years, with ecosystems such as the Silicon Savannah forecast to be worth more than $1 billion in the next three years.

The development of these important technology firms has been supported by organizations such as the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and United Nations (UN) that is dedicated to supporting the internationalization of SMEs.

To highlight the progress of these emerging companies, the Connecting Africa series of pan-African telecoms and technology events has teamed up with the ITC to produce a new report that documents the internationalization of East Africa's SMEs.

The report features SMEs such as:

  • SawaSawa – A custom software, design and development house
  • Hostalite – Providing domain registration, web design and e-commerce solutions in East Africa
  • Vantage – The Ugandan communications agency
  • Bunifu – The Kenyan information security solutions company

To access the report, click here. (Anyone downloading the report is entitled to a 20% discount to attend one Connecting Africa event of their choice.)

Connecting Africa and ITC have also partnered for the 14th annual East Africa Com (17 – 19th May, Nairobi). ITC is headlining the speed networking agenda at this year's event, which serves as an opportunity for the organization to meet large companies, whilst also promoting inter-regional and international business networks for SMEs.

— The staff, Connecting Africa

Innovation hub

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Key adoption areas for machine learning in Africa

ICT analyst Francis Hook identifies some of the key sectors that could be positively impacted by machine learning, including education, government services, healthcare and climate tech.

More Innovation hub

Latest video

More videos

Partner perspectives

All Partner Perspectives

Sponsored video

More videos

Industry announcements

More Industry announcements

Upcoming events

Africa Tech Festival 2024
November 11-14, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
More Upcoming events

Africa Tech Perspectives

Story

Uber's Marjorie Saint-Lot on inclusion and sustainability in Africa

Uber's Country Manager for Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Marjorie Saint-Lot, shares how the ride-hailing company is approaching public-private partnerships, environmentally friendly initiatives and gender inclusion in Africa.

Story

The 100 most influential African leaders in 2023

A new report from Africa Tech Festival and Connecting Africa puts a spotlight on the top 100 African leaders in the telecoms and technology sector in 2023.

Story

Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

More Africa Tech perspectives

Guest Perspectives

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Omdia View: January 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in January 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included a $200 million fintech deal between MTN and Mastercard as well as 5G network trials by Telecom Egypt – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Guest Perspectives

Like us on Facebook

Newsletter Sign Up


Sign Up
Tag id test-002