ITU Regional Forum Concludes with Calls for Transforming Pledges to Commitment   

Addis Ababa, October 5/2023(ENA)-The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Development Forum for Africa has concluded today with calls to transform pledges to commitment. 

During the closing session of the three-day forum in Addis Ababa, Partnerships for Digital Development Chief Cosmas Zavazava said ITU has through its Partner2Connect Digital coalition received a pledge of 31.88 billion USD from 392 entities in 132 countries. 

 

As a result “we had numerous commitments to be implemented in areas of infrastructure, cyber-security, digital skills and capacity-building, digital innovation systems, and digital inclusion and others,” he added.

Getting the pledges is an important step, but implementing the pledges is a bit of a challenge, the chief said, noting that making impacts on people with these pledges is more crucial.  

“We have projects that will impact real people. Technology with a human face, human centric digital development is what we are looking for partnerships.”  

According to him, the matchmaking is a shot in the arm for digital transformation on this continent and is part of a progress to close gaps and empower the rising generation of Africa with the universal and meaningful connectivity. 

 

Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla said “I'm particularly encouraged by the solutions-oriented mindset that has been evident throughout the forum. Stakeholders from across the region have come together to discuss and collaborate on ways to bridge the digital divide, support innovation and entrepreneurship and promote inclusive digital policies and regulations.” 

The barriers to meaningful connectivity and productivity and those enabling devices for increased access were put on the table for resolution, he added. 

“Bridging the digital divide on the African continent for urban and rural, for young and old means harnessing opportunities using digital innovation to bolster a vibrant entrepreneurship startup ecosystem; and with this a thriving digital economy requires reliable and affordable broadband access and required digital skills to benefit from that connectivity.”  

Key actors, such as governments, regulators, and private sectors, have a role to play collectively contributing to strong ecosystems that accelerate the creation of required local content and service to achieve an inclusive and equitable digital economy. 

The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition matchmaking roundtables have been the valid platform for matching needs with solutions in identifying effective mechanisms to scale up the impact of commitments made for sustainable development in Africa. 

These pledges are a testament to the strong commitments of stakeholders to accelerate sustainable digital transformation in Africa. 

However, it is important to note that pledges are just the beginning, the minister said, stressing that we must work together to transform these pledges into commitments and then into impacts. 

Belete further encouraged more pledges to come up because digital transformation is a massive undertaking needed by all.  

“As a country that hosts the African Union, Ethiopia is committed to being a leader in Africa's digital transformation. We're ready to host more forums like this in the future.”  

Ethiopia will work with all to make our vision for a sustainable and inclusive digital Africa a reality, the minister underscored. 

The ITU Regional Development Forum for Africa was conducted under the theme “Digital transformation for a sustainable and equitable digital future: Accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in Africa through digital transformation.” ​