It hasn’t been without challenges but building a top brand in any environment is no easy job, and we are getting there. Doing it differently from what everyone else is doing also has its tough points. Manufacturers, developers, service providers and an ever-increasing flood of end-users/subscribers are recognising the Mobility brand. We are just getting warmed up.
What is your role at the Mobile Web West Africa 2012 Conference?
This year, I am chairing the first day of the event and the closing session on the second day. The organisers of Mobile Web West Africa tell me that the reason for the “double duties” is that they trust my abilities to kick the event off and also close it down smoothly, based on my track record at last year’s event.
I chaired the second day of the event last year. Matthew Dawes, the chief host later mailed me to say that I was highly rated by participants at the event from the feedback forms that were filled out. It was great feedback, of course, but then I have been speaking at conferences since 1995, so I have quite a bit of experience to fall back on.
What is the Relevance of the Mobile Web West Africa 2012 Conference?
Mobile Web West Africa is an excellent event because it brings some of the brightest stakeholders together to discuss issues that are relevant to the mobile ecosystem in the region.
It is obvious to anyone who takes a cursory look at mobile globally that infrastructure, trends and lifestyles differ significantly across countries and regions. The European market is different from the North American market. Our own market here is significantly different from those.
We face unique challenges and are presented with unique opportunities. Mobile Web West Africa brings us together to explore those opportunities and possibilities like no other gathering has done.
What are your expectations from the Mobile Web West Africa 2012 Conference?
I can tell you from my experience at MWWA2011 that it was a time of rich discussions and networking for everyone. Ideas were crystalised or pruned, developers had a good testing ground for their ideas and/or projects, and alliances were forged. I met some great people in the industry who I am still in touch with today.
This year, the focus is monetisation and local content creation. This is timely stuff. And it is hot stuff. At the end of the day, this subject is about what makes or breaks the industry. The networks are providing infrastructure and services. We also have the devices. The question is, What do we do with them?
This year’s event is about taking the mobile ecosystem to the next level. We have brilliant speakers and panelists. I expect to see a hall full of brilliant participants from across a wide range of mobile-specific fields. Beyond the event itself, I am full of expectation that we will see more innovative products and services coming from the West African sub-region.
