AfICTA Chairman Represents the Interest of the African Private Sector at the AU-EU D4D Hub Event.
At the Africa-Europe D4D Hub Multi-stakeholder Forum, Mr. Thabo Mashegoane, AfICTA Chairman (Africa Private Sector Representative); Engr. Hossam Elgamal, AfICTA Immediate Past Chairman among other speakers from across all stakeholder groups both in Europe and Africa gave an insight into some aspects the Investment/Intervention from EU - European Union could be channeled to ensure the rapid realization of the global connectivity average of 30%.
The session’s main objective is in line with AfICTA’s Vision of fulfilling the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa and the discussion was geared towards ensuring Africa's poor digital connectivity index which stands at 22% is appropriately dealt with.
The panel session was titled "The Global Gateway in Action: Advancing Digital Transformation and Joint Infrastructure Projects on Digital Connectivity" held virtually on Friday, March 18, 2022, and was moderated by Ms. Christine Mhunduwa, an International Journalist.
Some of the essential investment focus points highlighted are 1. Skillset development (Africa has 70% of its population as youths (under the age of 30) and building their skill set and capacity will be of great impact on the continent's GDP); 2. Green and Renewable Energy (solving the challenges of the old industrial revolution technology (Electricity) which most African nations are still grappling with is very essential to the sustainability of any other new technology); 3. Digital Sovereignty; 4. Internet Backbone; 5. Data and Cloud Infrastructure; 6. Net Neutrality (Open Internet for all with enabling regulation and policy against heavy taxes); 7. Infrastructure Security (physically, cybersecurity and regulation) etc.
Mr. Thabo Mashegoane during one of his speaking slots opined that seeing broadband connectivity today as an essential service as the provision of drinkable water and energy would bring about more attention and seriousness into ensuring its availability, safety, and affordability for everyone even the underserved and the unreached.
Regarding what viable financing models are applicable to connect the unconnected, particularly the underserved rural areas, Mr. Thabo Mashegoane recommended that Government (Public) & other patient capital investors could intervene in partnership with the Private sector as it would be challenging for the private sector to solely invest in such terrain of sparse (scatter) population, people with low income and poor adoption of technologies. Some of the initiatives by USAID's and Universal Service & Access Funds (USAFs), Africa Development Bank (ADB), and others were noted.
Further development of the financial institutions toward a sustainable digital economy was one of the major points mentioned by the Immediate Past Chairman of AfICTA, sighting the tough situation encountered by individuals and corporate bodies during the pandemic regarding access to their funds and exchange of funds. He also spoke more on digital skill-set enhancement for the teaming youth to pickup jobs of tomorrow that has time and location flexibility and could stand the test of time like the pandemic period.
One among many other recommendations at the session was that, in order to encourage digital connectivity adoption in Africa and ensure investors get a good return on their investment, Government should digitize their services such that people can access them online. The session was concluded at its 60th minute.
