The Deputy Chair of AfICTA, Ms. Rachael Shitanda at the recently concluded Connect to Connect Summit organized by Extensia in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication Information and Information Technology Tanzania held in Arusha, where the focus was on how outsourcing and collaboration are shaping the industry's future.

As a panelist at the session that focused on Outsourcing and Partnerships, she had the opportunity of canvassing for Infrastructure sharing which is pivotal in expanding network coverage across Africa, reducing costs, and enabling faster scaling in rural areas.

She also advocated for more Partnerships with local communities through Express Wi-Fi for underserved areas to access sustainable connectivity towards enhanced digital inclusion and realization of the AU Digital Agenda 2030.

She however emphasized the crucial role of the government in creating an enabling environment through public-private partnerships, which is critical to accelerating infrastructure and business growth.

The C2C session was a great reminder that no organization thrives alone. Collaboration across sectors is the path forward for impactful growth.

On August 20, 2024, Nigeria made a significant leap towards modernizing its digital infrastructure by unveiling a draft White Paper on IPv6 at the IPv6 Driven Digital Infrastructure Summit. The summit, themed "Bringing Net 5.5G Into Reality: Inspiring New Growth," was organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with Huawei, the IPv6 Forum, and the IPv6 Council of Nigeria.

The Honorable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, graced the event, emphasizing the Federal Government's commitment to adopting the latest version of the Internet Protocol, IPv6. This new protocol promises enhanced management and security of internet traffic, ensuring that Internet users and devices are more efficiently identified, numbered, and tracked across Nigeria. By aligning with IPv6, Nigeria will not only improve its cybersecurity posture but also strengthen its digital infrastructure in line with global standards.

Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Chair of the AfICTA Advisory Council, also participated in the summit, showcasing AfICTA’s continued leadership in digital policy advocacy and engagement across the African continent. Together with Prof. Latif Ladid, President of the IPv6 Forum International, and Oracle Chris Uwaje, Vice-Chair of the IPv6 Forum Nigeria, Dr. Olufuye stressed the importance of IPv6 in accelerating Africa's digital economy and securing its online ecosystems.

The draft White Paper introduces a roadmap for IPv6 implementation across Nigeria, serving as a critical component in the country’s digital transformation agenda. As part of the discussions, the role of IPv6 in the upcoming Net 5.5G era was highlighted, positioning Nigeria to unlock new growth and development opportunities in the digital age.

In a moment captured during the summit, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry Communication and Digital Economy was pictured alongside Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Chair of AfICTA Advisory Council and other key stakeholders, reflecting the strong collaboration between government and private sector in driving Nigeria’s digital future.

As Nigeria prepares for this significant transition, the IPv6 protocol is set to become a cornerstone of the nation's evolving digital ecosystem, paving the way for a more secure and interconnected society.

 The AU Digital Agenda 2030: Achievable or Unattainable?In Africa's pursuit of sustainable development and inclusive economic growth in the area of technological advancement, the African Union's (AU) Digital Agenda 2030 stands as a transformative vision. This agenda is designed to leverage the potential of digital technologies to drive economic diversification, bridge socio-economic disparities, and position Africa as a globally competitive digital economy. However, the visionary goals of this digital roadmap face numerous challenges, such as infrastructure deficits, policy gaps, governance issues, and limited access to digital tools across the continent.

The 16th AfICTA eConference is being organized by the West African region purposely to engage stakeholders from across Africa and beyond in a robust discussion on the AU Digital Agenda 2030, examining its feasibility and identifying the practical steps needed to achieve its objectives. This session will bring together industry experts, policymakers, innovators, and thought leaders to evaluate the state of digital transformation across Africa and assess whether the agenda's aspirations are realistic or unattainable given the current circumstances.

Objectives

1. To examine the current progress of the AU Digital Agenda 2030 - Analyze the implementation of digital policies, infrastructure development, and key milestones across African nations.
2. To explore the role of collaboration - Delve into the importance of public-private partnerships, regional cooperation, and international support in achieving the digital transformation goals.
3. To evaluate the challenges and barriers - Discuss the barriers to achieving the AU Digital Agenda 2030, including financing gaps, policy bottlenecks, and socio-economic challenges.
4. To identify opportunities for accelerating digital transformation -Explore innovative solutions, best practices, and strategic interventions that could unlock the potential of the agenda and make its targets achievable.
5. To foster dialogue between stakeholders -Encourage knowledge exchange and collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society organizations to create synergies for the success of the AU Digital Agenda.

Key Discussion Areas

1. The current state of digital infrastructure in Africa and its alignment with the AU Digital Agenda 2030.
2. The role of governance, regulation, and policy harmonization in supporting digital transformation.
3. Financing digital projects: Opportunities, challenges, and sustainable investment models.
4. Building digital capacity: Addressing the digital skills gap, promoting innovation, and fostering entrepreneurship.
5. Case studies of successful initiatives and lessons learned from both African and global perspectives.
   
   

The 16th AfICTA eConference will serve as a critical platform for reflecting on the visionary goals of the AU Digital Agenda 2030. By questioning its achievability, participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions, share expertise, and offer actionable recommendations to drive Africa’s digital transformation forward. Join us for a meaningful conversation on how we can make Africa’s digital future a reality while navigating the obstacles that stand in our way.

Register Now to Join the Discussion and Be Part of Africa’s Digital Future

Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Chair of AfICTA Advisory Council, Speaks on Behalf of the Fellowship Awardees of the Association of Applied Information Management Professionals.

The Association of Applied Information Management Professionals (AIMP) successfully held its 4th National Conference from August 21-23, 2024, at Sandralia Hotel, Abuja. Themed “Leadership and Economic Recovery: Impact of Information Management Professionals,” the conference gathered distinguished leaders and professionals to address critical information management concerns in Nigeria.

The event opened with remarks from AIMP President, Dr. Omotola Deji Afuye, followed by goodwill messages from various guests, including Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Chair of AfICTA Advisory Council; Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd.), Chairman of the Center for Crisis Communications; Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals; and Mr. ThankGod Joseph Otorkpa, General Manager, Operations (North West), MTN Nigeria among others.

Key topics discussed at the conference included national security, economic growth, and the role of information management in intellectual capacity development. Sessions also focused on corruption, insecurity, and the importance of retooling the workforce through ICT.

During the event, several distinguished professionals were inducted as Fellows of AIMP, including Dr. Jimson Olufuye; Dr. David Ogwuche; Mr. Emosu Kayode Michael; Mr. Agbaminoja Olatunji George; Mr. Gbotemi Oluwadahunsi; Mr. Aliyu Edoge Aliyu; Mr. ThankGod Otorkpa and Mr. Victor Oladimeji Olorunmodimu.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Jimson Olufuye expressed gratitude for the honor and pledged continuous support to AIMP, emphasizing the alignment of their efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

AIMP continues to be a platform where leaders collaborate to advance solutions in information management, contributing to national growth despite economic challenges.

Kindly see the briefing of the event video on YouTube here