The three-day expo, which ran from May 29 to 31, attracted a large pool of investors, exhibitors, and visitors from more than 130 countries across the globe. As the curtains came down on the event, one could not help but notice that it was a resounding success, not only due to the prominent figures and influential leaders but also thanks to the tireless commitment of a small, dedicated staff.

Delegates follow proceedings at the second edition of Gitex Africa expo in Marrakesh, Morocco.

This group, consisting of logisticians, technicians, security agents, and maintenance personnel, worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the event ran smoothly.

IGIHE’s Christelle Butoyi spoke with some of them. They shared their day-to-day experiences.

A major event like this requires a lot of effort. For Elharti Abdel Hamid, an official catering provider, normally the day starts very early for setup.

“We get up at 5 a.m. to start work at 7 a.m.,” he said.

There are many challenges, particularly satisfying people with different temperaments, according to Abdel Hamid.

Badr, a cleaner, also opened up about his routine. According to him, his team starts work from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. They begin their routine by cleaning the premises before people enter. It is certainly a tiresome job, but he doesn’t feel it because his colleagues are like family to him.

Hiba Moustanjidi, an agent at Armonia Facilities, is usually in charge of the Media Lounge and is tasked with checking badges for access to the venue. She told IGIHE that before starting work, the team begins the day with a briefing to ensure there are no complaints.

“Gitex is always number one in Morocco, so we try to manage and meet the challenges as best we can,” she emphasised.

Another staff member, Rokaya Abdelmoujoud, plays an important role in handling VIPs, especially welcoming them and escorting them to their seats.

“On my first day, I escorted the Prime Minister of Guinea. I accompanied her for an AI visit, then to her seat,” said Rokaya, noting that “it’s a crucial task.”

IGIHE learnt that most of Rokaya’s colleagues are students who are happy to have side gigs after school. However, the biggest challenge of her job is dealing with people who use disrespectful language.

In achieving its goal of promoting innovation and fostering tech collaborations on the continent, Gitex Africa 2024 could not have succeeded without the invaluable involvement of these behind-the-scenes workers.

Their dedication and professionalism enabled a seamless event, demonstrating that behind every great success, there is a devoted team ready to go to any length to achieve excellence.

This edition of Gitex Africa not only highlighted African technological advancements but also underscored the importance of each individual contributing to the realisation of these grand ambitions.

Additional reporting by Christelle Butoyi