The 21st edition of AfricaCom is shaping up to be an impressive event. The number of speakers, visitors and exhibitors grow year on year, mirroring the expanding influence that technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) is having on the world at large.

This exponential explosion of technology also makes AfricaCom an essential destination for discovery, as one of the best things about the digital ecosystem is also one of the most challenging — the sheer vastness of the innovations and solutions that are launched on a daily basis. Fortunately, once a year, a host of clever people, their inventions and the people who have the answers, congregate at the world’s largest Africa-focused event. At AfricaCom, it becomes somewhat easier to source the missing link, meet up with colleagues and generally network to secure the future of Africa’s digital advancement.

With so much on offer this year — new product launches, demonstrations and drop-in sessions — here’s a quick guide to some of the exhibitors showcasing at AfricaCom 2018 between 13 and 15 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

First timers: There are a number of new exhibitors this year to look out for, such as Stoneroos who will be debuting their white-label TV solution called OTT NOW!

Also, head on over to the Technology Arena to see the Mobile Health Bus from Glasshouse/MST Group. This state-of-the-art vehicle showcases how mobility as a service using solar, satellite and a host of other cool tech is reshaping how data is gathered, processed and harnessed in hard-to-reach areas, not to mention uplifting, healing and educating those in need.

AfricaCom would not be what it is without the presence of the mobile network operators or the device manufacturers and the supporting cast of services that keeps it all going. From MTN, Vodafone, Orange, Airtel, A1 Telekom Austria, the Telenor Group and China Communications Corp to China Mobile — possibly the largest telecommunications provider in the world — they’ll all be at this year’s event. But what is this without the ubiquitous mobile phone? View the latest from Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia, along with the likes of KaIOS who are pioneering new operating systems for smart feature phones.

Satellite

Eye in the sky: Satellite is playing an increasingly important role in the connectivity journey, as witnessed by the growing number of exhibitors attending AfricaCom each year. Expect to see the likes of SAS, Avanti, Amos by Spacecom, Leosat, SES, ABS, ARABSAT, YAHSAT, Telesat, SatADSL and the Russian Satellite Communications and more. Also look out for Intelsat offering the best of both worlds – satellite and terrestrial – to deliver video and broadband services at cost-effective rates, anytime and anywhere.

However, these are not the only solutions that are available, as there are an increasing number of alternatives such as Google’s sister company, Loon, which will once again be at AfricaCom. Able to transmit LTE signals directly to users on the ground, Loon is looking to deploy a network of floating cell towers, using stratospheric balloons to provide Internet connectivity to unserved and underserved areas around the world, starting in Africa with Telkom Kenya. The project kicks off in 2019.

Still on the connectivity front, fibre continues to play an important role in linking the continent and in developing smart cities. Thus, Liquid Telecom also makes a return showing this year. Also, at AfricaCom, is a fair selection of the top players in the undersea cable fraternity such representatives from Huawei Marine’s Peace (Pakistan & East Africa Connecting Europe) cable offering.

Let’s not forget about wireless. Exhibitors such as Fon who manage more than 21 million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, along with Advantech Wireless, and companies such as CableFree: Wireless Excellence who build the products that keep the eye, up, in the sky.

In the supporting role of helping telecoms providers reach their goals of getting Africa connected, AfricaCom welcomes back the likes of Parallel Wireless, whose 2017 first-time attendance at the show resulted in some excellent business – that is after all, what AfricaCom is all about … connecting and growing businesses and people alike.

Post connectivity, there are a myriad mobile/digital service solutions – B2B and B2C – many of which will be at AfricaCom. From health and wealth, to education, entertainment in the always on era, online age verification even, as well as gaming, it’s all on display and up for discussion.

Underpinning all of this technological smorgasbord is data – providers and those who know what to do with the yottabytes of information generated by all the machines around us – consequently, AfricaCom has also seen a slew of new data service providers.

To list all 450+ exhibitors at this year’s AfricaCom would take more words than we have, so the next best thing is to register to visit the event and immerse in three days of technology, media and telecommunications, with a view to understanding the sheer capabilities of our connected future.

To register for your free visitor ticket, purchase a delegate pass or find out more about AfricaCom 2018 click here. Working media are invited to apply to cover the event.