Perspectives

Africa’s mobile industry is into the spotlight. User growth is accelerating, OTT services are rewriting the rules of communication, and rich messaging is fast becoming the backbone of financial services and business engagement. Yet this boom comes with pressure: operators are wrestling with volatile pricing, rising fraud, and shifting consumer expectations—all against a backdrop of tough competition and economic uncertainty. From Cape Town’s Africa Tech Festival to boardrooms across the continent, the message is clear: the era of “connect first, monetize later” is over. Africa has entered the age of digital engagement at scale.

In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Ekram, Program Chief at the Mobile Ecosystem Forum and one of the industry’s sharpest minds on business development, mobile communication services, regulation, and security. With years spent navigating global markets and helping shape operator strategy, Matt brings an insider’s perspective on the tectonic shifts happening across African telecoms—and what they really mean for growth, innovation, and trust.

Togheter, we will explore the biggest insights from MEF’s recent leadership forum in Cape Town: how operators can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s revenue streams; why CPaaS, RCS, and mobile financial services are moving from “pilot” to “powerhouse”; what the sector must do to stay ahead of fraud and evolving regulatory demands; and how to reach the continent’s underserved communities with smarter, more inclusive digital tools. From API monetization to AI-driven engagement, this conversation unpacks the strategies building Africa’s mobile future.