Riaan Maree is the CTO and co-founder of WIRUlink and RUSH Network, an ISP and open-access fixed wireless access (FWA) wholesale network. Under his co-leadership, WIRUlink has built its own wireless network footprint and developed in-house open-access infrastructure, called the RUSH Network, to deliver connectivity to multiple ISPs' customers across South Africa.
I’ve spent over two decades in South African telecoms, and I’m more convinced than ever: connectivity isn’t a luxury — it’s infrastructure as fundamental as roads and electricity.
As CEO of Vox, I lead one of South Africa’s largest black-owned telecommunications companies. We provide voice, data, cloud, and collaboration services across southern Africa — but what drives me is something bigger. It’s about closing the gap between connected and unconnected South Africa.
Dr Sunil Piyarlall is the Executive for Network Architecture and Modelling at Openserve (Pty) Ltd. With over 30 years of experience in the Information and Communications Technology fraternity, Sunil has held key Business and Technology Strategy positions within the Telkom group. He serves on various industry bodies and is a Board Member of The World Broadband Association. Sunil applies his extensive ICT knowledge, as well as experience from presenting at several local and international conferences, to address industry challenges and advance technology evolution.
Yolandi Cloete is the Interconnection Community and Academy Manager at DE-CIX, the world’s leading Internet Exchange operator. With nearly a decade shaping Africa’s peering ecosystem at NAPAfrica, she now drives global initiatives that make interconnection knowledge accessible, foster collaboration, and empower communities worldwide. A passionate connector and educator, Yolandi is active across industry forums and dedicated to strengthening the foundations of a more connected digital world.
An experienced Internet engineer from Africa who has honed his skills in the region and around the world since 1999, having built a number of Internet Service Provider networks and Internet exchange points during the period.
Mark is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of TransmissionCo, having previously been in charge of the Engineering Department at SEACOM, East and Southern Africa's first submarine cable system that has revolutionized Internet connectivity in those parts.
Rob is a seasoned corporate finance and investment professional with nearly two decades of deal making experience.
