I’ve been trying to bring discussion about Mobile Web access in Africa on the agenda of different conferences for more than 3 years now, and it might be that eventually this will take off!

Up to know, except the conferences I’ve been organizing like the one in mozambique last April, there was no real interest on this topic. I made a few talks at mobile industry conferences such as Africa Com in 2007, and 2008, but without real impact. Last year, I was also very disappointed to see Tech4Africa conference canceled due to lack of funding. So I was more than happy to see that eventually a dedicated conference focusing on mobile Web access is coming up.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first event of this kind we are not organizing ourselves, and the Web Foundation, as well as the W3C Mobile Web Initiative are happy to be supporter of this event

Excerpt from Mobile Web Africa web site: “An event designed to significantly contribute to the next stage of development of the Africa mobile ecosystem – topics include mobile web and applications for development, creating the next generation of entrepreneurs, monetising mobile web and apps, mobile content development, mobile marketing and promotion as well as O.E.M. and Operator perspectives. A highly interactive roundtable seating format promises to produce fantastic networking and outputs for all attendees.” The agenda sounds great, with a good mix of people from different background (NGOs, operators, mobile browser makers, …).I’m therefore very happy to chair the second day on mobile and Development, and I’m looking for it !