Over 1500 delegates attended the first day of the Summit. Welcoming participants, Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza, CEO of Rwanda's Development Board reflecting on the progress Africa has made in ICT. She called on participants to focus on what ICT could do to impact the lives of Africans. "It's not only about our resources, but our people. This has to be the future delivered for Africans."
Dr. Hamadoun Touré, in his remarks gave Africa's ICT progress in numbers. "In 2007, mobile penetration was at 23 per cent and today it is over 62%, internet penetration went from 3.9 per cent to 16.3 per cent."
He also highlighted that private-public partnership was crucial in determining the digital future of Africa. "For the last six years $55 billion has been invested in technology development in Africa and we expect to reach $70 billion by the end of next year," he said.
Gilbert Mbesherubusa, the vice-president for infrastructure, private sector and regional integration at the African Development Bank (AfDB), said AfDB had launched a study to assess progress made in ICT infrastructure and its impact since 2007.
"What is clear today is that almost every single village in Africa is served by at least one mobile operator... Africa may not have achieved all set goals but every country has achieved a lot," said Mbeshurebusa.
He also reminded that innovation was required to finance broadband access, making data available to all Africans.
The afternoon session discussed the goals of the Smart Africa Manifesto. Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsegimna, explained the five pillars:
- Putting ICT at the centre of national socio-economic development agenda
- Improving access to ICT especially broadband
- Improving accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT
- Putting the private sector first
- Leveraging ICT to promote sustainable development
"ICT is not just a tool, it is an enabling environment that if properly leveraged can change lives," said Minister Nsengimana.
Hong Jin Kim, President of G&E Group, Korea Telecom, explained using South Korea's example that for ICT to enable development on the African continent, governments and the private sector needed to look internally for solutions and strive to be self-reliant. "Leaders need to be creative so that ICT enables the national agenda."
"This is our time. Africa won't catch up but lead the way," said Ashish Thakkar, Founder of Mara Group and Africa's youngest billionaire.
Day two of Transform Africa will see President Kagame as well as Presidents of Uganda, Burkina Faso, Gabon, South Sudan, Kenya and Mali join the discussion on how ICT can impact citizen lives.
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Quelle/Source: AllAfrica, 28.10.2013
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