IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The African Internet Exchange System project will lower internet costs by supporting the establishment of National Internet Exchange Points and Regional Internet Exchange Points in Africa.

African Union Commission (AUC) Acting Head of the Information Society Division Christian Minoungou told a regional forum in Nairobi that Africa is currently paying overseas carriers to exchange intra-Africa internet traffic.

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, said while inaugurating the center that India is keen to work in partnership with AU in expanding ICT facilities in the continent.

The information society which encompasses information and communication technologies, including Internet, medias, broadcasting and postal services, represents one the most vibrant social and economic activities of this century”.

It is against this backdrop among others that, African Ministers of Communication and Information Technologies gathering today 3rd September 2015 in Addis Ababa in their first ordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (STC-1 CICT) will discuss the significant strides and innovation in societal transformations in the last decade.

African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Dr Elham Ibrahim told journalists in Naivasha that the switch will allow African countries to reduce the current high poverty levels.

“One of the targets of the AU is for the continent to make the transition to a knowledge based society, so that all citizens have access to equal education and employment opportunities,” Ibrahim said during a workshop on Knowledge Society Development in Africa as part of the African Leadership in ICT Course (ALICT).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the experts meeting, African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs, her Excellency Bience Gawanas said a number of strategies, plan of action and initiatives directly or indirectly related with ICT for health have been developed and supported by the AU and its NEPAD coordinating and planning Agency in collaboration with AU Partners.

The NSW government has unveiled its Blueprint for eHealth in NSW, aimed at improving collaboration between agencies and the development of a strategy to provide services to rural and remote areas.

The blueprint – announced today by health minister Jillian Skinner – outlines a framework for enhanced collaboration between eHealth NSW, the NSW Ministry of Health and the Local Health Districts.

The news comes in the wake of the Costello Commission of Audit into the state's finances, which recommends the government look to outsourcing and asset sales to balance its books.

Bekele was initially scheduled to speak but alleges she was prevented from doing so due to a dispute with the African Union.

“The eServices Register will provide a simplified process for Victorian ICT companies bidding for government work, and allow the Victorian Government to make more informed purchasing decisions from a greater range of suppliers as well as monitor the range and scope of eServices engagements”, said Gordon Rich-Phillips, Technology Minister of Victoria.

Stating that COVID-19 crisis has become the single biggest catalyst for digital transformation, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, Amani Abou-Zeid, has urged solidarity and partnership for Africa’s digitization.

The AU Commissioner made the remarks during the virtual e-governance conference organized by Estonian e-Governance Academy under the theme “Giant Leaps Start with Small Steps,” according to an AU statement on Saturday.

Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas has signed agreements of good will with the African Union and Mauritius for the development of e-governance.

The agreement with the African Union more broadly concerns e-governance cooperation, whereas the agreement with Mauritius focuses more specifically on the creation of a regional e-governance training module. The signing of both agreements took place on the sidelines of European Union -- African Union summit, spokespeople for the Estonian government said.

This 3rd regional event, being held Monday 2nd December at the Canberra Convention Centre, galvanises finance heads as well as technology experts presently from the UK, Denmark, Singapore, and New Zealand.

The CFOs of Australian commonwealth, state and local agencies are also represented. These officials are drawn from portfolio agencies covering taxation, human services, finance, ICT, and the environment.

Speaking at the opening of the 16th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, Abdoulie Janneh, the UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the Economic Commission of Africa, said ICTs can improve performance of businesses and the efficiency of markets.

The UN official also said ICTs can empower citizens and communities by increasing their access to knowledge.