Africa Urban . Summit 2020
Overview
From May 26th – 29th May, we hosted the Africa Urban Tech Digital Summit with our partners UN-Habitat, British High Commission to Kenya, and Habitat for Humanity. We had a great lineup of speakers and forward-thinking conversations culminating in the announcement of catalytic funding of 125,000 USD for 5 startups in the ShelterTech accelerator program.
In Numbers
Panel 1
This panel sought to look at the impact of covid-19 and the emergency response solutions needed to tackle the pandemic. Speakers for the session were:
- Dr. Shikoh Gitau – Member, COVID-19 ICT Advisory Committee, Kenya
- Savannah Wilson – Expansions Lead, Norrsken Foundation
- Philip Thigo – Director for Africa for the Thunderbird School for Global Management & Senior Adviser.
Panel 2
This panel sought to stimulate a discussion on how disruptive technologies are shifting the ability of cities to serve their populations and strategies and regulations needed to ensure that tech solutions become the norm instead of the exception.
Speakers for the session were:
- Dorothy Ooko – Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Google Africa
- Judith Owigar – Smart Cities Consultant, UN-Habitat
Panel 3
Innovation and entrepreneurship play an ever-increasing role in growing Africa’s emerging technology ecosystem. This session sought to explore the role of startups in driving innovation and advancing economies.
Speakers for the session were:
- Jane Marriott – British High Commissioner to Kenya
- Jonas Tesfu – CEO and Co-founder, Pangea Accelerator
Panel 4
This session aimed to announce the catalytic funding support for the startups, as well as spotlight Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, continued support for the startups. Additionally, the panel session highlighted key areas needed to move the housing agenda to the front. Speakers for the session were:
- Rick Hathaway – Area Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Habitat for Humanity International
- Ngatia Kirungie – Representative for Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development
- Pauline Gitau – Co-Founder, The Vlage
Key Speakers
Maimunah Mohd Sharif
Executive Director for UN Habitat.
Rick Hathaway
Area Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Habitat for Humanity International
Jane Marriott
British High Commissioner to Kenya
What People Had to Say
Partners
