AfICTA - Africa ICT Alliance is delighted to announce our partnership with GITEX AFRICA 2025, the continent’s largest tech and startup event. The partnership is reached to further deepen our engagement with all relevant stakeholders on the continent toward realizing our vision "...to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa". GITEX Africa 2025 holds from 14-16 April 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco. We’d love to see you there!

Africa's technology sector is undergoing a massive transformation, with digital innovation sweeping across the continent. As artificial intelligence revolutionizes industries across Africa, this rapidly growing market presents an unparalleled opportunity for visionary tech companies to establish a strong foothold in a region fast becoming a global hub for technology and innovation.

As Africa ascends to a pivotal role in the future of global technology, leading companies have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to shape and lead this emerging market.

The time to act is now. Dive into the pan-Africa’s AI-powered economic surge through GITEX AFRICA, your gateway to uncovering untapped markets, forging strategic alliances, and positioning your business at the forefront of the continent's tech revolution.

Register now!

At the IGF 2024 holding at King Abdul Aziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia , Africa ICT Alliance - AfICTA held a session titled Addressing the Challenges of Digital Sovereignty in DLDCs on Tuesday, 17 December. The session brought together stakeholders from diverse groups and continents to discuss the critical challenges surrounding digital sovereignty in Developing and Least Developed Countries - DLDCs, particularly in Africa and also explored the balance between data localization and economic growth, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory policies.

Dr. Jimson Olufuye, CEO, Kontemporary Konsulting Ltd & Founder/fmr Chair, Chair of the Advisory Council, AfICTA and Ms. Ulandi Exner, AfICTA Chair highlighted that establishing local data centers is a significant hurdle, with financial and technical challenges, including unreliable electricity supplies and limited expertise, hindering progress. They however emphasized the need for the adoption of innovative solutions like renewable energies to tackle the challenges.

Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General, National IT Development Agency - NITDA stressed the importance of data classification and provided an advisory for clear regulations that differentiate sensitive government data from less critical commercial information. This call for clear regulations was echoed by other participants, who emphasized the need for harmonized regional policies to streamline cross-border data flows without compromising security.

The conversation extended to renewable energy's role in powering local infrastructure, with Dr. Jimson Olufuye pointing to a 10-year successful solar-powered center built in Nigeria. Also Dr. Kossi Amessinou noted the need for governments to utilize data effectively for economic development.

Speakers like Dr. Melissa Sassi and Dr. Toshikazu Sakano argued for public-private partnerships to foster skills development and job creation. The call for capacity building remained a recurring theme, with Ms. Rachael Shitanda and Dr. Melissa Sassi urging governments to prioritize technical training while retaining talent in their countries.

The discussion concluded on an optimistic note, acknowledging that solutions, such as renewable energy integration and smart regulations, can help achieve digital sovereignty. Speakers emphasized the need for continued collaboration to overcome economic, technical, and policy challenges while fostering innovation and growth. As the session came to a close, stakeholders left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to working together to achieve digital sovereignty in Africa and other DLDCs.

Reference: https://dig.watch/updates/balancing-digital-sovereignty-and-growth-in-africa-discussed-at-igf-2024 

The United Nations Secretary-General has announced the appointment of Dr. Jimson Olufuye and Engr. Hossam Elgamal to the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) for 2025. The group which is tasked with organizing the upcoming 20th Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) which is a landmark edition scheduled to take place in Norway from June 23-27, 2025, in Lillestrøm, Norway would be Chaired by Ms. Roach Carol, Bahamas - Under Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The MAG, a key body under the United Nations' Internet Governance Forum initiative, is composed of experts from various sectors, including government, academia, civil society, technical community and the private sector. Its primary role is to guide discussions and collaborations to foster inclusive and sustainable digital governance.

Dr. Jimson Olufuye, a prominent advocate for digital transformation in Africa and founder of the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), brings years of expertise in ICT policy and strategy. His extensive contributions to bridging the digital divide and promoting multi-stakeholder engagement in Internet governance make him a valuable addition to the MAG.

Engr. Hossam Elgamal, an Egyptian technology leader and former chairman of the Africa ICT Alliance, is known for his innovative approaches to digital policy development. With his vast experience in cybersecurity, data governance, and digital transformation, Elgamal's appointment underscores the United Nations’ commitment to inclusive representation and diverse expertise in shaping the global Internet future.

Of note is that the MAG 2025 was appointed through an exceptional approach, following the public nomination process from the MAG and WGIG alumni network rather than the traditional broad community nomination process. This approach ensures that the specific expertise and experience gained through the MAG and WGIG work strategically guides the IGF’s preparations for the 20-year review process of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) and the IGF mandate.

This experienced MAG will help navigate the unique challenges of planning for the 20th annual IGF meeting, which has limited preparation time. It will also provide guidance on strengthening the future MAG’s long-term working modalities. The 2025 IGF in Norway is expected to address pressing issues, including artificial intelligence, data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and equitable access to digital infrastructure. All appointees are anticipated to play critical roles in shaping a comprehensive agenda that reflects the interests and needs of stakeholders worldwide.

Their appointments are celebrated as a win for AfICTA, Africa and the global South, reaffirming their growing influence in global digital policy and governance discussions. For more information on the MAG 2025 and the Global IGF 2025, please visit the official IGF website

Africa Information & Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA) is a concerned private sector-led alliance of ICT Associations, multi-national corporations, companies, organizations, and individuals in the ICT sector in Africa. AfICTA is a major key player in promoting the ICT space on the continent of Africa and our vision is to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa.

AfICTA Celebrates Excellence, Honors Dr. Vincent Olatunji, Mr Samwel Kinuthia Kariuki, others at the 12th Africa ICT Awards Ceremony

At the award ceremony during the just concluded 12th AfICTA Summit, the 2024 Africa ICT Award winners were announced by the Nominating Committee (NomCom) of AfICTA - Africa ICT Alliance. The session concluded the well-attended event that gathered over 250 virtual participants across the 5 sub-regions of Africa and beyond.

The outcome of the election which was decided by AfICTA good-standing members’ votes, conducted by the NomCom, brought about the emergence of Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission - NDPC, and Mr Samwel Kinuthia Kariuki, the Cyber Security and Networks Expert from Nairobi, Kenya, as the 2024 Africa ICT Champions. The duo is characterized as outstanding considering their efforts and sterling contributions to the African ICT landscape.

Furthermore, the committee presented the recognition award to the winners of the 2024 Africa ICT Personality Award, Dr. Khaled El attar, Ex-Vice Minister - Digital Transformation, Automation, and Administrative Development, Egypt, and Mr. Muli Mutuku, ICT Specialist from Kenya. Mr. Adesegun Orafidiya, CIO & Head of Information & Digital Technology, British America Tobacco from Nigeria emerged as the 2024 Africa CIO Award winner.

The 2024 Innovation Award was bestowed upon three outstanding personalities who had a tie in the election, Dr. Amos Obi, CEO of Hetaved Skills Academy for Innovations and Entrepreneurship, Nigeria, Ms. Grace Kaimburi, Research Associate - Climate and AI, Kenya, and Mr. Mohammed Omara, Founder & CEO/CTO, Hoopoe Digital. Additionally, the 2024 Africa Community Development Award was won by Dr. Kossi Amessinou, Doctor, Information and Communication Sciences, Benin, Ms. Hoda Dahroug, Advisor to the Minister for Digital Community Development MCIT, Egypt, and Mr Alphonce Odhiambo, Network and Infrastructure Services Engineer from Kenya.

These accomplished professionals have demonstrated remarkable expertise and visionary leadership within their respective domains, driving the advancement and evolution of the African continent's information and communications technology (ICT) landscape. Their invaluable contributions have been instrumental in propelling the ICT sector forward, fostering innovation, enhancing connectivity, and empowering communities throughout the region. Check previous award winners here

AfICTA felicitates outstanding individuals in the ICT sector, acknowledging their exceptional achievements across various categories during the AfICTA Awards Ceremony.

AfICTA 12th Summit themed “Digital Agenda 2030: Shaping Africa’s Future Through Innovative Technology & Collaboration", lasted for 3-days (December 3rd to 5th, 2024) and witnessed several sessions geared towards fostering strong partnerships towards the realization of Africa's digital agenda and the fulfillment of the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa.

AfICTA - Africa Information & Communication Technologies Alliance is a concerned private sector-led alliance of ICT Associations, multi-national corporations, companies, organizations, and individuals in the ICT sector in Africa. Its vision is to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa while its mission is to encourage multi-stakeholder dialogue fostering accelerated and ICT-enabled development in Africa and the use of cutting-edge innovative technologies including mobile, computing, and satellite technologies to achieve an Information society in Africa.