5th African Digital Summit: Expanding the Continent's Knowledge

Rabat – As Africa strives to be part of the global conversation around the fifth industrial revolution, the fifth edition of the African Digital Summit (ADS) is set to tackle the challenges and opportunities associated with full-fledged digitization in Morocco and across Africa.

The Group of Advertisers of Morocco (GAM), the event’s organizers, said in a statement that this year’s summit will run from March 2-3 in Casablanca.

This continental event is the largest digital gathering in Africa for advertisers, marketing, digital, media, and communication professionals.

In preparation for the summit, President of GAM, Youssef Cheikhi, explained that the 2023 edition is a “continuation of previous editions which have been a resounding success since 2015.”

President of GAM Youssef Cheikhi speaking at the summit“Combining a wealth of top-notch content with a lasting impact, the ADS has evolved over the years to adopt a dynamic format combining knowledge sharing with networking, including the consecration of the best digital innovations,” he said.

According to the event’s organizers, the summit’s main aim is to promote excellence in digital practices by brands over the years 2021-2022. Submissions remain open until February 27 to a jury of experts who will announce the results on March 3.

Speaking to Morocco World News, Reda Taleb, CEO of the consultancy company Officium, highlighted that this edition will provide a platform for advertisers, marketers, and digital professionals, among others, to find inspiration.

CEO of consultancy company Officium Reda Taleb speaking at the summit

In addition, Taleb noted the summit will be an opportunity for participants to rethink strategies of self-reinvention in a digitized world.

For this edition, organizers hope to bring together renowned experts and leaders with more than 1,700 attendees from different nationalities, for networking on the latest trends in the digital ecosystem.

Within the ADS Business Forum, agencies and other partner companies will have a dedicated B-to-B space allowing them to welcome decision-makers interested in their areas of expertise.

The objective is to contribute to the development of digital ecosystems and the digital economy in Africa and initiate structuring projects with added value for all stakeholders, organizers said in a press release.

“The digital is different from the artificial since it offers everyone equal opportunities to start off,” founder of ADS Mounir Jazouli stated. He detailed that ADS “focuses on the impact of digital on the marketing strategies of brands and also to anticipate the evolution.”

Founder of ADS Mounir Jazouli speaking at the event

Jazouli added that the shared experiences from the leaders and speakers at the event “will be a great opportunity to meet and exchange information and inspirational content.”

In addition, Jazouli reiterated that digital development can help make life easier in Africa and allow the continent to expand its knowledge.

The first edition of the event also took place in Casablanca in 2014, under the name of the “Moroccan Digital Summit.” That first iteration achieved great success with at least 420 attendees, and the event quickly evolved to become the African Digital Summit.

The ADS will play an important role in shaping the future of the continent and in promoting a digitally connected Africa, Jazouli concluded.