Innovation took center stage at the Swish Fusion Tech and Media Summit, held at the Balmoral Centre, Victoria Island. With the theme “Africa: Big Wins & New Breaks,” the event brought together thousands of professionals from media, technology, and business to explore how African enterprises are shaping the continent’s digital future.
Among the sessions, MTN Nigeria presented a detailed look at the company’s ongoing 5G deployment efforts and its role in shaping enterprise infrastructure. Njideka Jack, Senior Manager for Partnerships in MTN’s Enterprise Business division, shared details of these investments reiterating the company’s commitment to delivering high quality 5G-powered services.
The company’s 5G rollout timeline began in 2022 with license acquisition from the Nigerian Communications Commission. In 2023, MTN moved into pilot testing and infrastructure investment. By 2024, coverage had expanded to key cities and business hubs. The company now plans to extend access to more underserved areas throughout 2025 while deepening collaboration with OEMs and regulators.
Beyond the rollout itself, Jack also spoke on the potential of private 5G networks for Nigerian enterprises. With the ability to offer secure, high-speed, low-latency connectivity, these networks are increasingly being adopted in manufacturing, healthcare, education, and logistics sectors. “MTN’s focus is not only on connectivity but on enabling full-scale digital transformation for enterprise clients,” she said.
The summit’s broader agenda reflected a similar sense of urgency around Africa’s digital future. Panels and breakout sessions tackled topics ranging from mobile-first product design and regulatory frameworks to the rise of AI in content creation and the realities of funding early-stage tech ventures on the continent.
Beyond MTN’s contribution, the summit tackled pressing issues facing Africa’s tech ecosystem. Discussions ranged from mobile-first design strategies to AI’s role in content creation. Speakers spotlighted the challenges of raising capital for startups and the need for local digital policy frameworks. Experts addressed consumer behavior shifts, infrastructure limitations, and the growing need for platforms that empower creators and small businesses.
Representatives from companies like Jumia and Stears joined startup founders to share firsthand experiences on building scalable African solutions. The consensus was clear: collaboration across sectors is key to unlocking the continent’s innovation potential.
Speakers from companies like Jumia, Stears and local startups provided perspectives on both the barriers and breakthroughs in building scalable African solutions.
The sessions also sparked conversations about how African businesses are adapting to consumer behavior shifts and infrastructure limitations. Other panels focused on the growing importance of African-made tech policy, local investment, and the need for platforms that support creators and small businesses navigating global markets.
The Swish Fusion Tech and Media Summit continues to provide a platform for meaningful conversations around the future of work, enterprise, and technology in Africa. With contributions from players like MTN, who offered practical insights into connectivity and infrastructure development, the event underscored the need for cross-industry collaboration in shaping how innovation takes root and grows across the continent.
