The President also underscored that the government adopted ICT-oriented E-governance to ensure efficiency in service delivery. He urged the delegates to come up with recommendations that will help Africa achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and hailed the regional and continental ICT initiatives under the AU, NEPAD and COMESA, among others.
The State Minister in charge of Energy and Communications Eng. Albert Butare noted that the summit had provided a big opportunity for Rwanda to showcase its potential in the sector.
"It is our pleasure to have you here to deliberate on the critical subject of ICT developments," Butare told participants attending the Summit, whose theme is: 'Strategies for Sustainable Development of ICT in Africa'.
He underscored the role of ICT in investments, saying the ventures lead to sustainable economic development.
The Nigerian Minister of Communications Cornelius Adebayor, who delivered the Executive Report of activities of an earlier event, held in the Abuja in July 2005, echoed President Kagame's assertions that ICT is instrumental in the eradication of poverty and disease, challenges that have hindered development on the African continent.
Adebayor also called for the initiation of ICT projects and alliances to ease adaptation to new technologies.
Taylor Shola, the Chief Executive Officer of a UK-based ICT Consultancy firm, Kemilinks International, said Rwanda was the ideal country to host the Summit.
"We have organized similar events in other African countries like South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria, when considering this year's event we chose Rwanda which indeed has not disappointed us, and it's our pleasure to assist this country grow in ICT," he said.
The Summit that was co-organized by Kemlinks International brought together communications ministers from various countries and representatives of renowned ICT companies in Africa.
Autor/Author: Steven Baguma
Quelle/Source: AllAfrica, 08.05.2006
