Day 1  - 15 July 2025

​

​

7.30-8.50

Welcome coffee 

​

​

8.50-9.00

MVNO Nation opening

 

 

MVNO market growth - Exploring business prospects for MVNOs in Africa

​

​

9.00-9.20

Keynote: The MVNO landscape is changing. What does this mean for our industry? 

• Diversification and innovation: Understanding how integrated technologies and platforms are enhancing commercial and operational performance, and shaping customer service delivery and engagement 

• One view of the customer, one bill, partnership evaluation and the multi-carrier, multi-services ecosystem 

• Insights and learnings that are shaping the market 

• Opportunities and threats: How MVNX plays a role in optimising MVNOs for success whilst mitigating potential threats to existing and new market players 

• The blurring lines between wholesale and retail
   

Valde Ferradaz, Chief Executive Officer, MVNX

​

​

9.20-9.40

Keynote: The success behind South Africa’s fastest-growing MVNO

• Leading with a client-centric approach - How putting the client at the heart of every design decision has been key to driving loyalty and differentiation in a competitive landscape

• Sticking to our fundamentals and the benefits of a trusted brand - Why maintaining a clear focus on core values and leveraging an established, well-loved brand has provided a solid platform for rapid growth and client trust

• Multi-channel distribution considerations - Exploring the role of a well-balanced omni-channel salens and distribution strategy

 

Dr Dalene Steyn, Head, Capitec Connect

​

​

9.40-10.00

Keynote: A look into MTN’s strategic journey towards enabling connectivity and growth across Africa.

 

Dr Darryl Mullins, Head of Propositions & Business Development, MTN South Africa (topic tbc)

​

​

10.00-10.40

Keynote debate: MVNO growth potential in Africa: Tapping into an underserved mobile market

• Uncovering the untapped mobile segments and demographic trends driving MVNO opportunities

• Evaluating the role of fintech, mobile money, and digital services in shaping new MVNO models

• Addressing barriers to entry: Infrastructure limitations, wholesale pricing, and MNO partnerships

• Spotlighting emerging MVNO success stories and the markets primed for rapid expansion
   

Moderator: Andre Wills, Managing Director, Africa Analysis Team 

Blake Raubenheimer, Omnichannel Executive, The SPAR Group
Valde Ferradaz, Chief Executive Officer, MVNX

Dennis Kahindi, Director, FTTH and Home Broadband, Airtel Uganda

Collins Onyeneke, Chief Executive Officer, DMK Telecommunications

​

​

10.40-11.25

Coffee & Ice-breaker 

 

The first round of speed networking - everyone in the room gets to meet each other 

 

​

Unlocking bold new business models:

How emerging technologies are redefining the MVNO landscape

 

 

11.25-11.45

Building the MVNO of the Future: Optimising operations through End-to-End Digital Transformation

• How future-focused MVNOs are leveraging cloud-native platforms, converged BSS, and customer intelligence to drive agility, reduce time-to-market, and power digital-first operations

• Real-world strategies for simplifying operations, scaling efficiently, and enabling continuous innovation across 5G, IoT, and ecosystem-driven services

 

Nadia Vadachia, Head of Operations, TAUSPACE

 

 

11.45-12.25

Debate: 5G and Advanced Network Solutions: Expanding opportunities for MVNOs in Africa

• Investigating the impact of 5G on MVNOs in Africa as the technology begins to roll out, bringing faster speeds, reduced latency, and greater network capacity for a variety of services

• Understanding how 5G will empower MVNOs to offer ultra-fast mobile data, expand into enterprise services, and enhance service quality to improve customer satisfaction

• Examples of MVNOs in Africa capitalizing on 5G to introduce innovative solutions and meet the demands of both consumers and businesses in urban areas, driving the next wave of growth
   

Moderator: Ndirangu Kibata, Director - Strategy and Growth, TAUSPACE

​

​

12.25-12.45

Flying high: How MVNOs and airlines are using next-gen tech to elevate the passenger experience

• Leveraging next-gen technology to deliver smarter, more personalised in-flight connectivity

• Enhancing the end-to-end customer journey with real-time, seamless mobile access

• Unlocking new revenue models through co-branded plans tailored to frequent travellers

• Boosting customer loyalty with hyper-relevant offers and continuous digital engagement

Jignesh Dave, Founder & Managing Director, Next Communications
Senior Representative KLM/Air France (tbc)

​

​

12.45-13.05

Transforming Nigeria’s mobile market through MVNO Innovation and strategic brand cooperation

• Exploring the collaboration between VAS2Nets and Lebara to launch a next-gen MVNO in Nigeria

• Delivering affordable, high-quality mobile services tailored to local needs

• Leveraging technology and brand power to drive digital inclusion

• Creating new growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving telecoms landscape

Daniel Upson, Group Partnerships Director, Lebara (topic tbc)
Teni Stuffman, CEO, Lebara Nigeria

​

​

13.05-13.45

Debate: Digitalising MVNOs inside and out - Exploring how end-to-end digitalisation is transforming the MVNO experience

• Creating seamless digital journeys across the entire customer lifecycle and putting control in the hands of customers with flexible, self-managed options

• Using data-driven targeting to reach the right audience at the right moment

• Leveraging smart retargeting strategies to improve acquisition and conversion

• Speeding up go-to-market with tailored, high-impact promotional offers

• Is fully digital MVNO business applicable in Africa? 

 

Moderator: Wesley Hellyar, Chief Executive Officer, Moth Innovate
Ayesha Rashid, Vice President and General Manager, EMEA, Circles
Blue Hadlow, Product Line Head, Capitec Connect

Amit Agarwal, CEO & Founder, Zetexa Global

Jacques Du Toit, CEO, Vox Telecom

​

​

13.45-15.00

Networking lunch

 

​

Expanding the customer reach and offering utilising new technologies and partnerships 

​

​

15.00-15.35

Debate: Tapping into underserved mobile markets: How MVNOs can expand reach with rural connectivity and NTN

• Unlocking rural potential: Identifying growth opportunities in underserved and remote regions where mobile penetration remains low

• NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) as a game-changer: Exploring how satellite and high-altitude platform systems can provide reliable coverage beyond traditional infrastructure

• How MVNOs can leverage partnerships with NTN providers to extend their footprint without heavy network investments

• Tailoring services, pricing models, and support to meet the unique needs of rural populations and drive long-term engagement

 

Moderator: Andrew McHenry, Co-Chair, Mobile Monday South Africa
Bradley Shaw, Vice President MEA, Lynk Global
Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder, TechAfrica News

​

​

15.35-15.50

Travel eSIM - Opportunities for MVNO & MNOs

• The Red Bull MOBILE Data eSIM Story

• Our residential partnership approach

• MNOs: Shared risk strategy for MNOs  – from wholesale to residential

• MVNO: Sales partnership opportunity for MVNOs

 

Wilfrid Moser, Product Manager, A1 Telekom Austria & Red Bull Mobile Data

​

​

15.50-16.05

The rise of travel eSIMs: Empowering seamless connectivity for Africa’s cross-border travelers and migrants

• Exploring the potential of travel eSIMs to revolutionize mobile connectivity for tourists, business travellers, and expatriates in Africa

• Analysing the benefits of eSIM technology: Lower roaming costs, simplified activation, and seamless cross-border services

• Identifying key markets where travel eSIM MVNOs are gaining traction, from South Africa to Kenya, and how they can expand across the continent

• Discussing the role of partnerships between MNOs, MVNOs, and digital service providers in building a pan-African eSIM ecosystem

 

Jimmy Eboma, Chief Executive Officer, Emosim

​

​

16.05-16.20

How eSIMs can enable affordable international roaming for MVNOs

 

Roaming has long been a losing game for MVNOs - stuck with sky-high wholesale rates, no inbound roamers, and “roam like home” mandates that drain margins. This session explores how eSIMs are changing the game. For the first time, MVNOs can offer competitive roaming packages, unlock new revenue streams, and finally break free from the limitations of traditional network agreements.

 

Peter Nussbaumer, VP of Networks, Airalo

​

​

16.20-16.45

Meet the new MVNOs

• Introduction of a company profile

• What makes your business different from the competitors in your country?

• How do you plan to develop in the coming years and what partners are you looking for?

Ofentse Modibedi, Managing Director, Longitude Wireless
Gilbert Marcelin Kodholo Basia, CEO, Kongo Cellular Network
Chike Maduegbuna, Chief Executive Officer, Afrinolly

​

​

16.45-18.45

Networking drinks

---

​


 

Day 2 - 16 July 2025

 

8.00-9.15

Welcome coffee

​

​

9.15-9.20

MVNO Nation opening

 

​

MVNO market growth - Ensuring regulatory level playing field

& building sustainable business models

​

​

9.20-9.40

Keynote: Becoming an MVNO: What you need to know in the real world

Michael Brune, Executive: MVNO & Wholesale, Cell C

​

​

9.40-10.20

Keynote debate: The evolving MVNO landscape in South Africa and Africa

• Innovative strategies for MVNOs, including growth and customer engagement

• Why are most current MVNOs underperforming?

• Unlocking value by combining big data sets: customer insights and hyper-personalisation

• How might this play out differently in local vs broader African markets?

• The transformative role of AI in driving smarter, data-led MVNO partnerships

Moderator: Andrew McHenry, Co-Chair, Mobile Monday South Africa
Christopher Geerdts, Managing Director, BMIT
Wesley Hellyar, Chief Executive Officer, Moth Innovate

Johan Nel, Senior Management Consultant, BMIT

​

​

10.20-10.35

The role of Smile Communications in shaping Uganda’s 4G landscape

• Exploring how Smile pioneered “true 4G LTE” in Uganda, setting a benchmark for mobile broadband quality and speed

• Analysing Smile’s offerings for both consumers and enterprises, including data bundles, VoLTE, and fixed wireless solutions

• Considering future opportunities and approaches for enhancing Uganda’s 4G ecosystem through improved service delivery and industry collaboration

 

Oscar Kabata, Legal & Regulatory Consultant / Company Secretary, Smile Communications Uganda 

​

​

10.35-11.00

Building win-win strategies: How operators and MVNOs can collaborate for mutual growth

• Exploring partnership models that align incentives and unlock value for both MNOs and MVNOs

• Creating wholesale frameworks that balance flexibility, innovation, and profitability

• Understanding how operators can leverage MVNOs to reach niche segments, test new services, and drive digital adoption

• Case studies of successful operator-MVNO collaborations and lessons learned from failed ones

 

Gary Koeb, CEO, Axiomera Partners 

​

​

11.00-12.00

Coffee break

 

Exploring new customer niches and expanding your services

​

​

12.00-12.30

The 5 Big Questions – And the answers you’ve been looking for

• Which type of MVNO should I launch?

• Should I use AI in customer care?

• Network SLA – how do you actually measure it?

• Technology – do you really need your own HLR/HSS?

• Looking to improve margins?

 

Karl-Heinz Dorfmeister, Managing Partner, Acceleration-2 

Peter Nussbaumer, Co-Founder, MVNO Academy

 

 

12.30-12.50

Niche, community-focused MVNOs: Tailoring services to underserved markets in Africa

• Exploring the success of MVNOs that cater to specific market segments, providing tailored services to underserved and overlooked communities

• How these MVNOs thrive by focusing on niche markets, such as rural populations, youth, or semi-urban areas, with unique needs for affordable mobile services

• Discussing the key success factors: understanding local market needs, offering flexible data plans, and building a strong community-oriented brand and customer support system

 

Letsogile Baloi, CEO, Kometsi Telecommunications 

​

​

12.50-13.10

Closing the connectivity gap: MVNOs empowering rural Nigeria

• Bridging the digital divide in a country where over 40% of the population lives in rural areas

• How can MVNO position themselves as key enablers of access through innovative business models and localised strategies

• Leveraging affordable pricing and tailored services to serve underserved communities

• Driving inclusive growth by expanding rural connectivity and advocating for supportive regulation

 

Morenikeji Aniye, CEO, Hotspot Network 

 

 

13.10-13.50

Exploring the synergies between fintech companies and MVNOs

• Supporting each other's business growth: What do you think about the collaboration of MVNOs and Fintech companies to access wider customer bases and drive innovation?

• How can MVNOs and Fintech companies work together to improve customer experiences and enhance service portfolios? What are the benefits for each party?

• Can this collaboration drive financial inclusion and close the connectivity gap?

 

Danielle Lawrence, COO, Fintech Association of South Africa
Darren Franks, Co-Founder and Interim CEO, Fintech Association of South Africa

Andre Hugo, CEO, Spot Money SA

​

​

13.50-14.20

Debate: Anticipating the future: How will MVNOs influence the broader telco landscape?

• Forecasting the telco industry in Africa over the next 5 to 10 years

• Exploring the potential role of satellite technology in advancing the market

• Assessing the transformative impact of 5G deployment across the continent

• What will be the role of eSIM in reshaping the roaming market and MVNO business models?
   

14.20-16.30 

Networking lunch & end of conference



 

---------

​

Exclusive MVNO Strategy Workshop

The Critical Success Factors for MVNO Growth

 

Date: 16th July 2025

Location: Mount Nelson Hotel

Duration: Lunch and Half-Day Workshop

 

Workshop Agenda

​

 

1) 11.30 - 11.40  Welcome & Opening Remarks – Yaron Assabi
Duration: 10 minutes

Yaron Assabi opens the workshop with strategic insights into how MVNOs are reshaping the telecom landscape. He’ll outline the agenda and explore the role of innovation, intelligent platforms, and customer experience in building successful mobile brands.

​

​

2) 11.40-12.25 Crafting a Unique Customer Value Proposition (CVP) – Edward Wicks
Duration: 45 minutes

A powerful CVP is the foundation of any successful MVNO. Edward Wicks will walk you through frameworks that mitigate market risk, differentiate your brand, and align with commercial objectives - turning strategy into long-term profitability.

​

​

3) 12.25-13.10 AI-Driven Marketing for Your MVNO – Vincent Maher
Duration: 45 minutes

Vincent Maher will show how artificial intelligence is transforming MVNO marketing. Learn to use AI-powered tools to create hyper-targeted campaigns, personalise experiences, and drive acquisition with precision and scale.

​

​

13.10-14.10 Private Lunch

​

​

4) 14.10-14.55 Unique Value-Adds for Your MVNO – Yaron Assabi
Duration: 45 minutes

Explore the DSG value proposition with Yaron Assabi - an exclusive set of MVNO-ready services that generate new revenue streams and enhance customer loyalty. Discover how strategic value-adds can help your MVNO stand out and scale.

​

​

5) 14.55-15.40 Exceptional Customer Experience for MVNOs – Brandon Meszaros
Duration: 45 minutes

Customer experience is no longer optional - it's a key competitive edge. Brandon Meszaros from CxG will showcase how comprehensive CX design, from onboarding to support, boosts satisfaction, reduces churn, and builds brand advocates.

​

​

6) 15.40-15.50 Closing Remarks – Yaron Assabi
Duration: 10 minutes

Yaron Assabi closes the day with reflections, key insights, and next steps for organisations ready to lead the next MVNO wave.

​​​​​