by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AS next-generation communications technologies rapidly reshape global connectivity, Africa’s telecommunications sector stands at a defining inflection point—where the ability to adapt will determine not only competitiveness, but long-term relevance.
Against this backdrop, a high-level, invitation-only Telecoms Executive Roundtable, convened by CAJ Global on 5 May 2026, is emerging as a critical platform to shape the future of telecommunications across South Africa and the broader African continent.
More than a conventional industry discussion, the roundtable is being positioned as a strategic executive engagement designed to influence policy direction, investment priorities, and infrastructure evolution in Africa’s digital economy.
A PAN-AFRICAN PLATFORM FOR STRATEGIC INFLUENCE
CAJ Global continues to establish itself as a leading Pan-African platform for strategic positioning, policy dialogue, and industry transformation, bringing together key decision-makers across sectors to shape high-impact outcomes.
The upcoming roundtable reflects this positioning, with confirmed participation from a diverse and influential cross-section of the telecoms ecosystem, including:
* Telecommunications operators
* Satellite connectivity providers
* Tower and infrastructure companies
* Base station manufacturers
* Regulators and policymakers
* Government representatives
* Energy and battery solution providers
HIGH-LEVEL DRIVING THE CONVERSATION
The roundtable will feature prominent industry leaders and policymakers, including:
- Mr Bradley Shaw, Vice President for the Middle East and Africa at Lynk World
* Mr Selaelo Matlhane, Spectrum and Telecoms Manager at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory
* Ms Mandy Mlilo, Acting Chief Director for Hydrogen and Energy at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
* Ms Mahadi Buthelezi, President of the International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry South Africa
* Mr Johnny Muteba, Chairman and Founder of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce
* Prof. Francesco Petruccione: Director National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) Pro Vice-Chancellor Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies, Professor of Quantum Computing, School of Data Science and Computational Thinking, Co-lead Africa Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Addressing Global and African Challenges through Methods from Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Theoretical and Computational Thinking (CoRE-AI) at Stellenbosch University
BEYOND DIALOGUE: DRIVING STRATEGIC OUTCOMES
Speaking ahead of the engagement, CAJ Global’s African Commercial Director for Advertising and Partnerships, Mrs Thembakazi Sithole, emphasised the strategic intent of the platform:
“This is not merely a roundtable—it is a strategic executive platform designed to shape the future of telecommunications across Africa. Africa’s telecoms future will not be secured by infrastructure alone, but by how effectively industry leaders collaborate to drive innovation, shape policy, and build inclusive, future-ready ecosystems,” said Mrs. Sithole.
TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION AND THE URGENCY TO ADAPT
The roundtable comes at a time when emerging technologies—particularly direct-to-device satellite connectivity—are redefining traditional telecommunications models.
This next-generation capability enables mobile devices to connect directly to satellites without reliance on terrestrial infrastructure, offering transformative potential to:
* Expand connectivity into underserved and remote regions
* Reduce infrastructure deployment costs
* Accelerate digital inclusion across the continent
However, it also presents a structural challenge to incumbent telecoms operators, whose business models have historically relied on ground-based networks.
COMPANIES THAT FAIL TO ADAPT TO THIS EVOLVING LANDSCAPE RISK:
* Loss of market share
* Declining revenue streams
* Strategic irrelevance in a rapidly shifting ecosystem
SETTING THE AGENDA FOR CONTINENTAL ACTION
The Executive Roundtable is being convened ahead of the Africa Telecoms Summit scheduled for June 2026 in Johannesburg, where a broader group of stakeholders will engage to:
* Advance implementation strategies
* Scale partnerships
* Unlock investment opportunities
Outcomes from the roundtable will play a direct role in shaping the summit agenda, ensuring that discussions are grounded in executive-level insight and aligned with real industry priorities.
This will be followed by regional engagements across Southern, East, and West Africa, further extending the platform’s impact.
A STRATEFIC IMPERATIVE FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS
With billions of dollars expected to be invested in satellite-enabled and hybrid connectivity networks over the next decade, participation in the roundtable is increasingly being viewed as a strategic necessity for organisations seeking to influence Africa’s digital future.
Attendance remains strictly limited to senior executives and key stakeholders, with final participation slots and sponsorship opportunities currently being allocated.
Organisations that are not part of this engagement risk being excluded from shaping the policies, partnerships, and capital flows that will define Africa’s next connectivity era.
– CAJ News
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