Hanga Weekly Roundup EP 41

Industry Insights

The SBA 2024 in Shaping the Future of Sports in Africa

The upcoming SBA 2024 conference is set to be a game-changer for the African sports industry. This premier event brings together leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the future of sports in Africa, with a focus on driving economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

The SBA 2024 is actively contributing to positioning sports as a significant economic contributor, enhancing job creation, and empowering African talents to shine brightly on the global stage. This entails transforming the sports investment landscape across Africa and changing global perceptions of the continent by leveraging sports for socioeconomic and sustainable development.

The conference aims to create a unique platform about the nexus between business and sports towards Africa's development. It will take stock of the sports industry in Africa, highlighting the options available to market sports in a profitable manner, including in tourism, and mainstream technology in the sports industry. The SBA 2024 will also analyze and question the challenges in African sport, assess the available frameworks to bring the industry up to international standards, and enhance the role of sports in development.

The forum will cover a variety of topics focused on different aspects of sports in Africa. It will include discussions on developing sports talent, improving sports management, and building better sports infrastructure across the continent. There will also be conversations about how sports can play a role in sustainable development and how Africa can be marketed through sports. Other topics will include the growing trend of sports betting and whether it's a positive or negative influence, as well as the role of technology and media in sports.

The SBA 2024 aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063, promoting inclusive growth, sustainable development, job creation, economic diversification, resilience, and boosting hospitality and tourism industries. The forum aims to be an annual event contributing to a prosperous Africa, with the "Africa we want" vision in mind.

Fab Women Program empowers women through Digital Craft

The Fab Women Program in Digital Craft at FabLab Rwanda is an exciting opportunity for women eager to enhance their digital skills and transform their creative ideas into reality. This ongoing program is designed to empower participants with the necessary knowledge and expertise in various aspects of digital design and crafting.

The Fab Women Program offers a diverse curriculum that includes graphic design, 2D and 3D design, jewelry laser cutting, portrait design, and home décor design. It equips participants with practical skills to excel in the design industry.

The Fab Women Program runs from 15th October to 15th November, with sessions held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 17:00 to 20:00. The program fee is 50,000 RWF, payable via Momo Code: 096857 FABLAB RWANDA LTD. In addition to providing essential digital crafting skills, the program fosters a supportive community where women can collaborate, share ideas, and inspire each other.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn and grow in the field of digital craft. If you are interested in participating, apply today at this link.

Hon. Paula Musoni Co-Chairs Africa AI Governance Roundtable and Chairs ITU Broadband Commission Meeting at UNGA24

At the 24th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA24), Hon. Paula Musoni was co-chairing the Africa AI Governance Roundtable: Bridging North-South Perspectives for Inclusive AI. The roundtable was co-chaired alongside the National Information Society Agency of Korea and in partnership with the World Bank, Carnegie Endowment, and the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (UN-OICT).

The event aimed to bring together stakeholders from various regions to discuss the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa and explore ways to ensure inclusive AI development. By bridging the perspectives of the North and South, the roundtable sought to create a more equitable and collaborative approach to AI governance on the African continent.

On the sidelines of UNGA2024, Hon. Paula Musoni chaired the Annual Fall Meeting of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Broadband Commission on behalf of H.E. President Paul Kagame. The meeting gathered global industry leaders to discuss the future of connectivity and digital strategies.

During the meeting, Hon. Musoni emphasized the importance of connectivity as a necessity, not a luxury. She stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure everyone has access to a resilient, safe, and inclusive digital future. The discussions focused on strategies to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion and equity worldwide.

The participation of Hon. Paula Musoni in these high-level events at UNGA24 underscores Rwanda's commitment to shaping the global agenda on AI governance and digital connectivity. By co-chairing the Africa AI Governance Roundtable and the ITU Broadband Commission meeting, Hon. Musoni has positioned Rwanda as a key player in driving inclusive and equitable digital transformation in Africa and beyond.

Startup Spotlight

Meet HiQ Africa: A company advancing ERP solutions in the Rwandan FMCG sector.

HiQ Africa is a technology-driven startup offering innovative Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions tailored for the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry in Rwanda. Launched in 2022, HiQ Africa aims to enhance operational efficiency for businesses by leveraging cloud-based services and advanced technologies.

Services Offered:

• Smart Inventory: HiQ Africa provides an inventory management system designed to optimize stock levels, ensuring businesses can meet demand without overstocking.
• Payment Integration: The company offers seamless payment processing solutions that enable businesses to conduct transactions efficiently and securely.
• NoQ Marketplace: HiQ Africa facilitates a digital marketplace where suppliers and retailers can connect, streamlining access to products and services across the FMCG sector.
• Stock Financing: Through its stock financing service, HiQ Africa offers businesses the ability to acquire inventory without immediate cash payments, improving cash flow management.
• Market Intelligence: HiQ Africa harnesses data analytics to provide businesses with insights into market trends and consumer behavior, helping them make informed decisions and refine their strategies.

HiQ Africa’s long-term vision includes creating a decentralized market that empowers businesses through improved access to products and capital, contributing to the overall economic development of Rwanda and the broader African market.

Connect with HIQ Africa through their website: https://hiq.africa/

Expert Opinion

"In a rapidly evolving world, the key to success lies in our ability to adapt and innovate. As entrepreneurs, we must not only embrace change but also drive it by creating solutions that address the unique challenges of our time." - Janet Karemera, CEO of Rwanda Convention Bureau, What I’m building Podcast.

Hanga Quiz

Which of the following groups is primarily targeted by the Hanga Pitchfest for participation?

A. Senior citizens

B. Young entrepreneurs and startups

C. Government officials

D. High school students