Morning Block (8:00-12:00)

  • Gathering and Networking (45 minutes)

  • Session Type: Opening Welcome
    Speaker: Chidi Afulezi
    Opening welcome setting the tone for a day focused on product excellence, innovation, and the unique opportunities within African markets. Establishes the conference themes and prepares attendees for meaningful conversations ahead.

  • Session Type: Keynote Interview
    Speakers: H.E. President Paul Kagame or Minister Paula Ingabire (Interviewed by Zain Verjee of theZVG, or Fiona Muthoni)
    Rwanda's strategic initiatives and policy frameworks to foster a thriving product ecosystem, positioning the country as a hub for African innovation and technological advancement.

  • Session Type: Keynote
    Speaker: Christian Idiodi (World-renowned Product Coach, SVPG)
    Practical strategies from a global product expert on adapting proven methodologies to thrive in African market contexts. Real frameworks and actionable insights for accelerating innovation and achieving meaningful impact across diverse African environments.

  • Session Type: Fireside Chat
    Speakers: Crystal Rugege (Managing Director, C4IR Rwanda, Interviewer: TBD)
    Strategies for creating products and campaigns that drive meaningful social change and mobilize communities at scale, drawing on Global Citizen's campaign expertise and C4IR Rwanda's work in technology governance and policy frameworks that enable societal impact.

  • Continue connections and engage in informal discussions around morning insights.

  • Session Type: Keynote Discussion
    Speakers: Laura Teclemariam, Tesh Mbabu, 1 Moderator
    Laura and Tesh, two product leaders with deep product portfolios, share their experiences navigating rapid market expansion, talent challenges, and scaling decisions across African markets. A dynamic conversation covering the real decisions and trade-offs that define successful product leadership in fast-moving environments.

Lunch & Afternoon Block (12:00 - 17:00)

  • Session Type: Keynote Discussion
    Speakers: Oji and Ezinne Udezue
    Two accomplished former chief product officers share real-world case studies and frameworks for building product teams that excel during transformative shifts like AI adoption. Oji (former CPO at Typeform, Calendly, and Twitter Head of Product) and Ezinne (CPO at WP Engine, former VP of Product at Procore) bring decades of combined executive product leadership experience and provide practical insights for assembling and leading teams that thrive in the uncertainty and excitement of rapid technological change across African markets.

  • Session Type: Founders Forum
    Raw, unfiltered conversation with battle-tested African founders who've crossed the PMF threshold. Real talk about scaling strategies, market expansion, and sustainable growth in African contexts.

  • Session Type: Lightning Talks
    Speakers: Chiedza Muguti (20 mins), Akua Gyekye (20 mins)
    Two transformative perspectives on how AI is reshaping African innovation and society. Chiedza, a former chief product officer and co-founder of Black in Tech Berlin from Zimbabwe, explores how AI can amplify the human creativity and collaborative leadership needed to build inclusive product teams. Akua, Microsoft's Government Affairs Director for Africa, examines AI governance strategies and the policy frameworks that can democratize AI access while ensuring responsible adoption across the continent. Both speakers focus on the transformative potential of AI for African builders, innovators, and communities.

  •  Refresh and connect after the AI spotlight sessions.

  • Session Type: Case Study Breakdown
    Forensic analysis exploring why good products fail in African markets beyond obvious reasons. Deep dissection of systemic challenges, hidden costs, and the 'Ecosystem Tax' that impacts product survival and growth across African contexts.

  • Session Type: Deep-Dive Product Presentations
    Speakers: Charles Wartemberg (15 mins), Seyi Ogebule (15 mins), Patrick Njientcheu (15 mins)
    Topic: A triumvirate of product veteran leaders demonstrate how global product operating models adapt to African market realities. Practical applications, efficiency gains, and innovation drivers across diverse continental contexts.

  • Session Type: Closing Comments
    Speaker: Christian, Chidi
    Topic: Synthesis of the day's insights into actionable next steps for African product leaders. Announcement of key initiatives, partnerships formed, and the roadmap for continued ecosystem transformation.