Stakeholders in Africa Discussing Ways to Expedite Digital Transformation in Continent

Addis Ababa, October 03/2023 (ENA) The International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) regional development forum for Africa opened in Addis Ababa today with a view to accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the continent through digital transformation​. ​

The Forum will take place for the coming three days under the theme “Digital transformation for a sustainable and equitable digital future: Accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in Africa through digital transformation​".​

Hundreds of people drawn from various parts of the continent and other stakeholder are participating at the forum which is organized by ITU in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia.

Speaking on the opening event, ITU Department Partnerships for Digital Development Chief, Cosmas Zavazava said the forum is a platform for views exchange and matchmaking among stakeholders. 

"The regional development forum is one of the key forums or events that we hold and the idea is to bring stakeholders together to brainstorm, to exchange ideas. But most importantly, this regional development forum is unique, unique in the sense that we are going to engage in a matchmaking exercise."

The aim is to convert pledges into concrete commitments that will result in the implementation of concrete impactful projects based on the priorities adopted and contained in the Kigali Action Plan, it was indicated.  

The Kigali Action Plan is a comprehensive package that will promote the equitable and sustainable development of telecommunication/ICT networks and services, it was learned. 

We would like to make sure the 36.1 billion USD pledged to us is implemented for concrete works, he said. 

The forum will also provide an opportunity for the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau to report on the progress that has been made towards the implementation of the outcomes of the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022.

Some 2.6 billion people, most of them from the currently 46 least developed countries, of which 26 are in Africa, are unconnected to the internet, he noted. 

So, let's move from potential to prosperity by tapping into the potential and create enabling environment to make sure that we create the right policy, the right regulatory framework, he stressed. 

To do so the opportunities are huge compared to the constraints and digital transformation is an agent to development supplemented by international cooperation and assessment, he added. 

Innovation and Technology State Minister Huria Ali said the theme of this year is more important than ever before for Africa as we face a number of global challenges including COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

"Digital technologies can play a vital role in helping us to overcome these challenges and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Africa is a young and dynamic continent. With the rapidly growing population, we have a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional development process and invest in digital technologies to create a better future for our people," she said.

However, Africa also faces a number of challenges Huria pointed out citing that only 43 percent of Africa has access to the internet. 

"We need to invest in infrastructure and skill development to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate on the digital economy."

She further added: "We also need to ensure that digital technologies are used in a way that is sustainable and equitable. We need to protect our people privacy and security and we need to ensure that digital benefits are shared widely across the continent."

Meanwhile, the state minister reassured Ethiopia’s commitment to digital transformation, noting that the country has made significant progress in recent years.

The progresses made include enacting a national digital transformation strategy, liberalizing the telecom sector, launching a national digital ID system, developing a digital payments ecosystem, promoting the growth of E-commerce, investing in research and development in digital technologies.

"We are also working to ensure that digital technologies are used in a way that is sustainable and equitable."

For example, Huria pointed out, "we have development and National Cybersecurity strategy. And we are working to promote digital literacy among all Ethiopians."

However, "even though we have done a lot of things, we know that there is still more to be done," she stressed. 

"We are committed to work with our partners across Africa and the world to achieve a sustainable and equitable digital future for all."

In this regard, this important event brings together key stakeholders from across the region to discuss and collaborate on ways to accelerate digital transformation and achieve the sustainable development goals, Huria observed. 

"The ITU regional development forum for Africa is an important platform for us to discuss the challenges and develop solutions."