Digital Revolution achievable in Africa

Tanaka Sigudu

The African continent has been urged to embrace fully the digital revolution. This was the clarion call made by Heads of States at the 6th Transform Africa Summit which kicked of in Victoria Falls on Wednesday.

One hundred and twelve countries and their respective delegates are attending the summit which is being held for the first time out side Rwanda .

It seeks to discuss practical ways to advance the commitment of transforming Africa into a fully digitalized economy where technology is harnessed to fully reap intergration efforts.

In his keynote addrress , H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa challenged young innovators to utilise local resources to develop the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector .

He said , “To realise our vision of Transforming Africa through ICT, the young African innovators are challenged to deploy our Continent’s abundant raw materials for the production of ICT related hardware and gadgets. Our institutions of higher education and techno preneurs should also be supported to design relevant software solutions that speak to the intricacies of African economies and communities.

It is a misnomer that we continue to rely on generic off-the shelf software packages availed to us at exorbitant prices. The Smart Africa membership comprising renowned global technology firms must be leveraged to catapult our capabilities.”

Similarly, the African Diaspora is urged to use existing networks and knowledge platforms to advance Continental aspirations for cutting edge inventions, innovations and viable start ups. In the case of Zimbabwe, the meeting is convening against a backdrop of notable achievements stemming from the adoption of the Education 5.0 philosophy among other policy interventions.”

Science and technology are becoming intertwined with our country’s social and economic development while
innovative products and services are transforming the economy, meeting major national needs and improving
people’s quality of life .”

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia called on the African continent to use icts to become fully sustainable in crop production as the Ukrainian war has affected the continent negatively in terms of wheat imports.

“We have right now been exposed as a continent in the production of grain and proteins for our daily needs. The Russia Ukraine war has exposed us dramatically. To respond to that , to increase food production we need to be able to apply technology and digitisation is a must.”

In addition, His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini also called for a Continental Free Trade Area that utilises the ICTS.

“Africa has to be united in her efforts of promoting the Africa we want as espoused in the 2063 Agenda. The African Continental Free Trade Area is another pillar that can help us to be a united force in terms of trading amongst ourselves. We need appropriate technology to add value to our products inorder to stop exporting them raw to external markets.”

The three day Summit ends on Friday and is running under the theme , “Connect- Innovate – Transform.”