Ian Merrington is CEO of The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative and The Bandwidth Barn. and is responsible for the development and execution of organisational strategy and operations and for leading both organisations.
Ian also sits on the advisory boards of the University of Cape Town’s Information Systems department and also the Computer Sciences department and is a lead mentor for the Techstars programme in Cape Town.
Ian is passionate about the role of innovation in solving the challenges faced by modern societies. He believes that FinTech and the block chain have enormous transformative potential in Africa and that inclusive innovation can improve lives across the continent. In his current role as CEO of CiTi, he has a focus on supporting and incubating inclusive tech enabled innovation, creating job ready candidates for the ICT sector and also accelerating tech entrepreneurs.
Ian has a wealth of corporate experience, with extensive experience in the technology, innovation and the creative sectors. Prior to his present role, he spent several years in advertising and consulting services, during which time he was Group Financial Director of BBDO SA, a director of Gloo Digital Design and later Chief Operating Officer for iKineo, a leading Pan-African customer engagement firm. Ian was part of the team that created an installer network programme for satellite operator SES (SES Elevate) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Market Opening – London Stock Exchange
Invitation Only
08.00Registration and Networking
08.10Opening Remarks
by Neanda Salvaterra - Agenda
08.55Welcome Address
Andrew Fassnidge – Africa Tech Summit
09.00Leveraging IoT: Enabling New Financial Possibilities for the Next Billion
Mayur Patel – COO – M-KOPA
9.10Pathways To Funding & Monetization – Charting The Course of Funding, Exits and M&A
Chris Baird – Partner – DLA Piper (Moderator)
Neil Shah – Senior Business Development Director – London Stock Exchange
Kola Aina – Founding Partner – Ventures Platform
Nina Triantis – Global Head of TMT – Standard Bank
Odunayo Eweniyi – Co-Founder PiggyVest / First Check Africa
Main Theatre
09.30Networking Break
10.30Mobile & Digital Economy – Unpacking The Latest Trends on Connectivity, Content and Talent
Addy Awofisayo – Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa -YouTube
Kojo Boakye – Head of Connectivity and Access Policy for Africa – META
Mahlet Tamene – CFO – Gebeya Inc
Jessica Hope – Founder & CEO – Wimbart (Moderator)
Main Theatre
11.10IPO Masterclass: Tech trends in London
Ope Sule – Business Development Manager for Africa – London Stock Exchange
Forum Room
11.10Payments in Africa – The Billion(s) Dollar Battlefield
Akshay Grover – Group CEO – Cellulant
Andrew Takyi-Appiah – Co-founder & MD Zeepay
Anthony Day – Partner -DLA Piper
Tosin Eniolorunda – Founder & CEO – TeamApt
Nkiru Uwaje – Director of Strategic Platform Partnerships – Finastra (Moderator)
Main Theatre
11.55VC Lift Off – Unpacking The Explosive Growth Of Activity & Investment Outlook
Ido Sum – Partner – TLcom Capital
Eghosa Omoigui – Founder & Partner – EchoVC
Ruby Nimkar – Principal – GreenHouse Capital
Ope Sule – Business Development Manager Africa – London Stock Exchange (Moderator)
Main Theatre
12.35Networking Lunch
13.15Roundtable – Scaling Africa Fintech for Global Success
Hosted by Cellulant
Forum Room
14.15Crypto for Africa – The Endless Possibilities
Rotimi Ogunwede – Chief Marketing Officer – Patricia Technologies
Main Theatre
14.15DeFi for Africa – The Future of Decentralised Finance & Crypto Across The Continent
Carmelle Cadet – Chief Executive Officer/Founder – Emtech
Rotimi Ogunwede – Global Head of Strategy & Expansion- Patricia
Chris Ostrowski – Global Head of Public Sector Engagement – cLabs
Tedd George –Chief Narrative Officer – Kleos Advisory UK (Moderator)
Main Theatre
14.45The Role of Fintech’s In Developing An Inclusive Digital Economy
Hosted by Ghana Fintech and Payments Association
Forum Room 2
Networking Break
15.40De-risking the supply chain of sensitive products in Africa Tega Iortim – CEO & Founder- Gricd
Tega Iortim – CEO & Founder- Gricd
16.00Embedded Finance & InsurTech – Meet The Game Changers Digitising Insurance In Africa
Jihan Abass – Founder & CEO of Lami
Henry Mascot – Co-Founder & CEO Curacel
Boko Inyundo – Director Strategic Relations – Hence (Moderator)
Main Theatre
16.15Closing Remarks
by LSE & Africa Tech Summit
17.00