from SAVIOUS KWINIKA in Cape Town
Western Cape Bureau
CAPE TOWN, (CAJ News) – SOME African Ministers of Communications and Digital Technologies have committed to collaborate and align their countries’ policies and strategies to promote the development of future-oriented digital infrastructure in the continent.
This is in line with the African Union Agenda 2063, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Strategic Plan 2020-2024, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
A communique has been signed after the Ministerial Forum on Building a Future-Oriented, Digital Infrastructure for Africa, co-organized by the ATU and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) of South Africa.
The forum in Cape Town, held with the aim of advancing the digital transformation agenda in Africa, consisted of keynote speeches by John Omo, Secretary-General of ATU and Ministers/Deputy Ministers from Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
They pledged to create an enabling environment for future-oriented digital infrastructure development, including through fostering a conducive regulatory framework and mobilising adequate resources.
The officials recognised the importance and benefits of a future-oriented digital infrastructure such as Network and Cloud in Africa for enhancing social welfare, economic competitiveness, regional integration and sustainable development.
“We acknowledge that future-oriented digital infrastructure is not only a means to an end but also an end in itself, as it can improve the quality of life and well-being of the people of Africa,” the communiqué read.
The participants called upon other stakeholders, including international organizations, development partners, private sector actors, civil society organizations, academia and research institutions to join in efforts to build a future-oriented digital infrastructure in Africa.
Omo said the countries’ commitment to Building Future-Oriented Digital Infrastructure for Africa should be extended beyond the AfricaCom forum and the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23).
It is set for Dubai from November 20 to December 15.
“Let it be a sustained effort, a collective endeavor that defines the trajectory of Africa’s digital future for generations to come. Through firm dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision, we can transform our continent and position Africa as a global leader in the digital era,” Omo said.
– CAJ News