Across East Africa, the typical boardroom hasn’t changed much in decades—outdated projectors dangle from ceilings, cables snake across floors, and “room taken” signs are still printed on paper. Yet, these are the very rooms where billion-shilling decisions are made, partnerships are sealed, and national policies are debated.
The disconnect is striking. As organisations modernise their operations, digitise workflows, and expand their global presence, many still rely on meeting environments stuck in the past—ill-equipped to support hybrid teams, high-stakes video conferencing, or dynamic collaboration.
One company, however, is leading the charge to change that. PRO AV Africa, a homegrown leader in Professional Audio-Visual (AV) and automation solutions, is redefining what innovative collaboration should look like in the region. From cutting-edge wireless presentation systems to AI-enabled cameras and voice-controlled boardrooms, PRO AV Africa is helping organisations present better, collaborate faster, and meet smarter.
“The idea is really to do tailor-made design, advise clients, do full design customisation… and bring your boardroom into the future,” says Boaz Shani, Managing Director of PRO AV Africa.
Who is PRO AV Africa?
PRO AV Africa provides integrated, intelligent AV solutions designed for a broad range of clients, including corporate, educational, governmental, and hospitality sectors.
With its headquarters and fully-equipped showroom in Uganda, the company operates across the region, offering not only product distribution but also consultation, design, training, and support through a network of over 60 certified local installers.
“We’re not just here to sell screens or cameras. We are AV architects,” says Shani. “Our strength is in design, integration, and ensuring everything just works—seamlessly.”
The Problem: Outdated Meeting Rooms, Wasted Potential
Visit most boardrooms in Uganda or the region, and you’ll find a familiar setup: a table, a few chairs, a TV or ageing projector, and a jungle of cables. “We still find rooms with $300 projectors, poor microphones, and a ‘room taken’ sign printed on A4 paper,” explains Shani.
Yet, these meeting rooms host critical decisions by CEOs, ministers, directors, and development partners. The cost of poor AV—bad audio, low-resolution visuals, or dropped calls—translates into lost time, miscommunication, and even reputational damage.
“Technology should elevate how we work, not get in the way,” he emphasises. “When a CEO walks into the room, they should tap one button and the blinds close, lights dim, the screen wakes up, and the video call begins. That’s what we deliver.”
The Solution: Integrated AV Ecosystems for Every Need
PRO AV Africa offers turnkey AV and automation solutions that span seven key areas:
- Interactive Displays and Smart Boards: Large-format, high-resolution displays, such as NovoTouch and MAXHUB, enable teams to annotate, brainstorm, and share ideas visually. These smartboards come with built-in wireless screen-sharing capabilities and can replace both whiteboards and TVs.
- Wireless Presentation (BYOD): Using tools like NovoConnect and NovoStage, users can present directly from their phones, tablets, or laptops, eliminating the need for HDMI cables or adapters. This supports 4K wireless collaboration from any device. “Whether you’re using Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac, our systems allow you to walk into any meeting and present instantly,” Shani explains.
- Wireless Video Conferencing (BYOM): With AI-powered cameras, ceiling microphones, and smart speakers, PRO AV Africa enables seamless video conferencing. Systems integrate with Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet and include solutions from AVer and Vivitek.
- Room Automation Systems: Lighting, blinds, AC, displays, and audio—all controllable from a smartphone or tablet. “It’s not just about tech. It’s about how easy it is to use,” Shani adds.
- Cable Management and Table Integration: PRO AV Africa offers plug-and-play table boxes with HDMI, USB-C, power sockets, and wireless charging—all built into the furniture. “We even retrofit regular tables,” says Shani.
- Room Booking and Scheduling: Digital panels installed outside meeting rooms sync with Google and Outlook calendars. “The moment a room is booked, the sign turns red, and the schedule is updated in real time,” he explains.
- Sound and Acoustic Design: From six-watt ceiling speakers to subwoofers, acoustic treatment, and intelligent volume controls, PRO AV Africa ensures that every room sounds as good as it looks.
Smart, Scalable, and Locally Supported
A key differentiator for PRO AV Africa is its commitment to local solutions, local support, and local empowerment.
“Many people buy cheap solutions from Amazon or overseas dealers. But when things break, there’s no warranty, no spares, no support,” Shani warns.
PRO AV Africa offers:
- 2 to 7 years local warranty
- In-country demos and showroom tours
- Full training for IT teams and end-users
- Design customisation per client and per budget
They are also assembling AV systems in Uganda to comply with the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy.
Tailored for Every Budget and Every Room
Contrary to perception, smart meeting rooms aren’t just for multinationals or government ministries.
- For under $500, a small office can upgrade audio quality with professional speakers and microphones.
- A $6,000 budget equips a boardroom with wireless conferencing, a touch display, and automation.
- High-end setups like the Bank of Uganda boardroom—valued at $170,000—include 18 mics, two auto-tracking cameras, and touch-controlled everything.
“We don’t push the most expensive systems,” says Shani. “We recommend what works for the space, purpose, and user.”
Breaking Barriers: Charles Mudiwa on Intergenerational Leadership at Makerere Case Studies: From DFCU to Multichoice
PRO AV Africa’s digital meeting and collaboration solutions have already been adopted by some of Uganda’s most prominent institutions. Leading corporations such as MTN Uganda, dfcu Bank, and Multichoice have embraced the company’s smart boardroom and conferencing technologies to enhance internal communication and client engagement. The government too has not been left out, with a number of government agencies such as the Bank of Uganda, the Ministry of Agriculture and Uganda Communications Commission have adopted these state-of-the-art and high-performance boardroom solutions equipped with AV systems featuring interactive displays, automated cameras, table microphones, and full room automation.
In the education and media sectors, institutions like Makerere University and the Law Development Centre (LDC) have implemented PRO AV Africa’s systems to support more interactive and efficient learning and administration environments. Media houses, including NTV and UBC, have benefited from tailor-made installations that support live broadcasting, content streaming, and hybrid production setups.
Beyond traditional boardroom upgrades, PRO AV Africa has also been instrumental in designing e-learning studios, podcast booths, and live streaming suites—solutions that have empowered government agencies, academic institutions, and media companies to keep pace with the demands of modern communication and digital content creation.
“These organisations are not just buying tech—they’re buying productivity, performance, and image,” Shani notes.
Avoiding Common AV Mistakes
Shani points out several recurring issues clients face before discovering PRO AV Africa:
- Wrong screen sizes: “People guess screen sizes. We use formulas based on distance and content type.”
- Poor cabling: “Low-quality cables ruin even the best setups. MTN once bought our $200 cables—and came back for more.”
- Architects overlooking AV: “Many designs don’t include proper diagrams. We give full BOQs, TORs, and schematics.”
- Buying incompatible brands: “A client once bought a top brand projector. We told them we can’t support it. It was a costly mistake.”
A Growing Ecosystem: Brands and Integrators
PRO AV Africa serves as the official regional distributor for a portfolio of globally recognized audio-visual and communication technology brands. These include TOA Electronics, a trusted name in professional audio equipment, Vivitek, known for its advanced projectors and interactive display solutions; Kramer, a leader in AV signal management and collaboration systems; AVer a know as leaders in Video conferencing nd edu-tech solutions;. The company also represents Televic, which specialises in high-end conferencing systems; and Audio Technica, acclaimed for its superior microphones and sound solutions.
To ensure these technologies are not only available but also expertly deployed and supported, PRO AV Africa has cultivated a robust local ecosystem. It has trained and certified more than 60 system integrators and partnered with over 30 AV-specialised companies across East Africa. This expansive network ensures that installations are handled professionally, support is timely, and clients across the region receive end-to-end service—from consultation and design to execution and ongoing maintenance.
The Future: Smarter, Simpler, and More Strategic
According to Boaz Shani, PRO AV Africa’s mission extends far beyond simply supplying audio-visual equipment. At its core, the company is focused on future-proofing organisations, ensuring that their communication and collaboration infrastructure evolves in step with technological advancements and operational needs.
“Technology is no longer a luxury. It’s a strategic enabler,” Shani explains. “Our goal is to make every boardroom, classroom, or control centre not just smart, but intelligent, integrated, and impactful.”
In line with this vision, PRO AV Africa is actively developing a range of resources and partnerships to support long-term transformation. These include a digital knowledge hub designed to educate clients and integrators, a library of demonstration videos and virtual walkthroughs to illustrate real-world use cases, and case study-driven consultations that highlight the tangible impact of their solutions. The company is also forging partnerships with universities and media organisations to expand its reach and share best practices across sectors.
“We’re not after selling boxes. Our role is to design and guide,” Shani emphasises. “Think of us as your AV architect—helping you build smart systems that actually work for your people.”
The Boardroom Reimagined
As Uganda and Africa move toward digitisation and smarter workspaces, the role of the meeting space must evolve. Whether it’s for high-stakes board decisions, international Zoom calls, or training sessions, a modern meeting space is now an asset, not an accessory.
If you’re still booking rooms using printed signs or plugging in VGA cables, it might be time to consider calling PRO AV Africa.
“Let’s build the future of communication together,” Shani concludes. “Smarter meetings begin with the right design, the right tools, and the right partner.”
For consultations, showroom visits, or demos, visit www.proav.africa or call +256 752 50 60 90.
Follow them on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram @PRO AV Africa.
