Covington’s Africa Practice is looking forward to being a sponsor of the first-ever Africa House at South By Southwest (SXSW) this year.
Launched in 1987, with a mission to foster discussion and collaboration in the music and art scene, SXSW has morphed into the ultimate gathering place for creatives, innovators, and technologists. Held in Austin, Texas each year, the event now draws politicians, corporates, and others seeking to experience the latest digital trends, hear from rising talent in film and music, or discuss significant public policy issues. Last year, there were over 60,000 “South By” attendees from 100 different countries.
Africa House will showcase the region’s emerging status as a global player in technology, entrepreneurship, and design. At the house, participants will experience pitch competitions, workshops, immersive panels, performances, and networking opportunities for all things Africa.
Africa has become a hotbed of tech activity. Just as the continent skipped landlines and went directly to mobile phones, it is skipping traditional forms of banking, agricultural, and various other sectors by utilizing technology to spur economic growth.
At Africa House, a panel entitled: “Big Law & Africa: How Covington Is Supporting The Continent’s Technology Boom,” will cover how government policies and regulations impact the continent’s tech progress.
The panel will include Covington’s experience in helping aspiring companies tackle difficult regulatory and policy questions as they look to grow and expand. Covington seeks to ensure that entrepreneurs are well positioned to address complex topics such as privacy and data security, cybersecurity, and anti-corruption and anti-money laundering. Navigating the legal structures of the U.S., E.U., and various African markets is complicated. And, we will share our experience in advising emerging tech companies on how to comply with global best practices and ensure they have a strong foundation to succeed.
Africa House at SXSW will be open on March 10th and 11th at the Parker Jazz Club in Austin, Texas.