Panel Discussions

Engage with diverse perspectives through dynamic conversations on the opportunities and challenges shaping Africa's digital economy.

OVERVIEW

Conversations built for real dialogue.

Interactive, multi-stakeholder discussions connecting decision-makers, innovators, employers, researchers, investors and practitioners.

The DigiFest-Africa 2026 Panel Discussions bring together leaders from government, industry, academia, startups, development organisations, technology companies, and the innovation ecosystem to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping Africa’s digital transformation.

Designed as interactive, multi-stakeholder conversations, these sessions move beyond presentations to encourage meaningful dialogue, diverse perspectives, and collaborative problem-solving. Participants will hear from decision-makers, innovators, employers, researchers, investors, and practitioners who are actively shaping the continent’s digital future.

From Artificial Intelligence and entrepreneurship to workforce development, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and the creator economy, each discussion provides practical insights and recommendations that participants can apply within their own organisations, careers, and communities.

DIVERSE

Perspectives

PRATICAL

Solutions

LIVE

Dialogue

SHARED

Learning

WHY ATTEND?

Hear what one perspective can't tell you.

Each panel brings together different parts of the ecosystem to unpack complex digital-economy questions from multiple angles.

01

Hear diverse perspectives from industry experts and decision-makers.

02

Explore practical solutions to digital economy challenges.

03

Learn from successful case studies and lived experiences.

04

Engage directly with panelists through interactive discussions.

05

Discover opportunities for partnerships and collaboration.

06

Gain a broader understanding of Africa's digital ecosystem.
SESSIONS

Six discussions tackling Africa's biggest digital-economy questions.

Explore conversations spanning AI, capital, SME digital adoption, gig work, creator businesses and cybersecurity talent.

AI + Emerging Technologies
PANEL DISCUSSION

AI & Emerging Technologies: Building Africa's Intelligent Future

Explores how AI, automation, robotics, data science and other emerging technologies are transforming industries while highlighting opportunities, challenges and policy considerations for Africa.

Funding + Startups
PANEL DISCUSSION

Funding the Future: Unlocking Capital for Digital Startups

Brings together investors, entrepreneurs and ecosystem enablers to discuss funding pathways, investment readiness and strategies for scaling technology ventures.

Digital Inclusion
PANEL DISCUSSION

Bridging the Digital Divide: Practical Pathways to SMEs Digital Adoption

Examines how governments, technology providers and ecosystem partners can accelerate digital transformation among SMEs through innovation, partnerships and policy support.

Gig Economy + Future of Work
PANEL DISCUSSION

Building Africa's Gig Economy: Unlocking Sustainable and Inclusive Opportunities for the Future Workforce

Explores how governments, employers, digital platforms and education providers can collaborate to strengthen the gig economy, improve workforce readiness and create sustainable livelihoods.

Creator Economy
PANEL DISCUSSION

Beyond the Content: Building Sustainable Careers and Businesses in the Digital Content Economy

Features successful creators and digital entrepreneurs discussing audience growth, monetization, personal branding, emerging technologies and building sustainable creator businesses.

Cybersecurity
PANEL DISCUSSION

Securing Africa's Digital Future: Solving the Cybersecurity Talent Gap in the Age of AI

Examines how governments, academia, industry and development partners can work together to address Africa’s cybersecurity talent shortage while creating inclusive career pathways.

Join the conversations shaping Africa's digital future.

Hear from leaders, innovators and changemakers as they unpack practical solutions, partnerships and opportunities across the continent.

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Join thousands of innovators, professionals, entrepreneurs and digital leaders shaping Africa’s digital future.

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Brian Mwithi

Remote work specialist, career positioning expert, and recruiter

Brian is a remote work specialist, career positioning expert, and recruiter with over five years of experience, who has helped more than 2,100 professionals successfully transition into global opportunities. He works closely with individuals to identify their strengths, align them with the demands of the evolving digital job market, and refine how they present themselves, particularly on LinkedIn, to attract high-quality international employers. His approach is centered on creating clarity, enabling professionals to move beyond local limitations and position themselves competitively on a global stage. By leveraging AI-driven tools and modern job search strategies, Brian enhances professional visibility and equips his clients with a distinct competitive edge in a rapidly changing landscape. He is known for prioritizing authentic alignment over generic advice, building tailored positioning strategies that lead to meaningful opportunities, long-term career growth, and lasting professional relationships.

Amos Kimani

Founder, TausiApp | From Gospel Artist to Beauty-Tech Innovator

Amos Kimani is a visionary entrepreneur who transformed his passion for music into a revolutionary beauty-tech platform, TausiApp, changing the beauty landscape in Kenya and beyond. Born in Kahawa West, Nairobi, on May 18, 1991, Amos grew up surrounded by the vibrant energy of his neighborhood, fueled by a love for music and his mother's unwavering
support. Growing up in a modest household, Amos learned valuable lessons from his mother's resilience
and dedication at Gikomba Market, which laid the foundation for his own entrepreneurial spirit. He went on to join the acclaimed gospel group SOC, where he discovered his passion for music and the power of inspiring others — SOC became a household name, releasing popular hits and garnering awards. While on tour with SOC, the struggle to find reliable beauty service providers sparked the idea for TausiApp. Inspired by the ease of Uber, Amos founded TausiApp in 2019, leveraging
technology to connect clients with skilled beauticians. TausiApp now boasts over 32,000 clients and 6,000 service providers, transforming the beauty industry in Kenya by fostering a more
accessible, professional, and client-centered beauty industry, and empowering beauticians with tools, financial services, and opportunities to thrive.

Agnes Maina

HR Consultant, Global Recruiter, and Career Development Practitioner

Agnes Maina is an HR Consultant, Global Recruiter, and Career Development Practitioner with over five years of experience across human resources, recruitment, talent management, and people operations. She currently works as an HR Consultant with Corporate Staffing Services, supporting the Ajira Digital Program, where she brings hands-on experience in recruitment, employee relations, performance management, HR operations, and workforce development. As a recruiter and HR professional, Agnes offers a practical perspective on how talent is assessed, what makes professionals stand out to employers, and how African talent can better position itself for opportunities in an increasingly global and borderless labour market. She is passionate about digital employability, the future of work, and helping African professionals build the skills, confidence and professional presence needed to compete beyond traditional geographic boundaries. Through her career-development work, Agnes also supports professionals with CV development, LinkedIn optimisation, interview preparation and career coaching.

Tonio Kibz

Digital Media Creator, Broadcast host, Podcaster, and CEO of The Sandwich Podcast.

Tonio Kibz is a digital media creator, broadcast host, podcaster, and CEO of The Sandwich Podcast—
one of East Africa’s leading digital platforms. With a track record of driving youth culture, digital entertainment, and creative enterprise in East Africa, he specializes in building scalable media properties, navigating creator monetization, and transforming independent content into sustainable commercial ventures.

Andrew Ogango

Creative director & audio visual storyteller.

Hi, I’m Andrew Ogango. I’m the guy who will happily spend hours discussing lighting setups, visual framing, or finding the absolute best gear for a shoot. Although when it comes to titles some call me a creative, a photographer, a cinematographer, and an occasional musician, but officially, I’m a Nairobi based creative director and audio visual storyteller. I’m a huge tech enthusiast at heart, constantly exploring new software, emerging tools, and digital innovations to weave seamlessly into my production workflows. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of capturing everything from high energy events to brand campaigns and documentaries across Kenya. More than anything, I’m passionate about helping people tell stories from how they see the world by using photography, videography, and digital media as their mediums, while creating ways that their business side is able to build a legitimate, sustainable career in the creative industry.

Shiphrah Wairima

Digital Media Creator, Broadcast host, Podcaster, and CEO of The Sandwich Podcast.

Shiphrah Wairima is a Cybersecurity & Responsible AI leader, advocate, and featured speaker. She serves as President of the Kenya Chapter at the Global Council for Responsible AI and leads
WomenTech Kenya, championing responsible AI development and increased women participation in tech across Africa. Her mission is to empower people, organizations, and communities to navigate the digital world safely, ethically, and affordably. Shiphrah works with non-technical leaders, SMEs, institutions, and underrepresented communities, translating cybersecurity and AI into practical, accessible guidance. She has supported 500+ individuals into tech and freelancing careers, delivered numerous trainings and workshops on cybersecurity, AI ethics, and digital safety, and helped organizations implement budget-conscious security strategies. Her work focuses on human-centered cybersecurity, responsible AI governance, affordable cyber hygiene, and talent empowerment through mentorship and training.

Bobby Owuor

Kenyan filmmaker, writer, director, and lifestyle content creator

Bobby Owuor is a Kenyan filmmaker, writer, director, and lifestyle content creator known for his cinematic storytelling and distinctive creative style. With a passion for turning everyday moments into compelling stories, Bobby blends filmmaking, fashion, culture, and lifestyle to create content that feels both authentic and cinematic. His ambition is simple: to put Kenyan storytelling on the global stage and become one of Africa’s most influential creative voices.

Barrack Bukusi

Podcast Founder & Host

Over ten years’ experience and success as both an entrepreneur and intrapreneur at the intersection of media, entertainment, and technology. A curator of several media products and content, I am the curator of three podcasts featured in Spotify’s 2023 Breakout Creator Podcasts. I have worked with multiple stakeholders across the creative economy and leveraged content strategically to secure favorable returns on investment, drive impactful outcomes, increase product visibility, spearhead successful fundraising campaigns, facilitate sales conversions, and foster the development of engaged communities. I also co-founded and host the Financially Incorrect Podcast, one of the top financial podcasts in East Africa.

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