With a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the ICT practice, Mr. Chris Uwaje, the Chairman of Mobile Software Solutions Limited and former President of both the IT Association of Nigeria - ITAN, and the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria - ISPON, delivered a noteworthy speech at the Africa ICT Champions Fellowship maiden edition held on Tuesday, 14 November 2023.

In attendance at the fellowship are the past Africa ICT Champions, and members of the AfICTA Advisory Council - AAC and AfICTA Board.

In line with its vision which is “to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa”, Africa ICT Alliance - AfICTA Nigeria under the leadership of Mr. Inye Kemabonta alongside board members and other stakeholders within Abuja had a strategic session on Thursday, 14th December 2023. The session was aimed at formulating an action plan for AfICTA Nigeria in the year 2024 and was held physically in Abuja. The focus was to discuss the strategy that AfICTA Nigeria would explore in terms of policy development, programs, initiatives, and potential collaborations with relevant stakeholders in the year ahead.

During the session, stakeholders in attendance identified and aligned with four (4) key terms that form AfICTA’s vision which include 1. fulfill (to achieve, realize, or deliver on a promise made) 2. The promise (potential, commitment, and assurance), 3. Digital Age (the era whereby technology is deployed to provide solutions and resolve issues) and 4. Everyone: (leaving no one in Africa behind). These terms formed the guiding principles toward which all discussions were channeled.

Furthermore, the session was made interactive as ideas were welcomed from the stakeholders on the approach to take in achieving the identified strategies. Below are a few points raised by the attendees and adopted after a critical review by all members in attendance:

Points Raised:
1. The importance of using digital tools to empower the market, create opportunities, and generate wealth that benefits both the organization and the wider society, thereby contributing to employment, economic growth, and social development; 2. The necessity of collaboration rather than acting independently. They emphasized the importance of engaging with sovereign entities to achieve goals collectively; 3. AfICTA focuses on stimulating businesses by partnering government in its role to foster an environment that encourages entrepreneurship. They agreed that the key to addressing the low employment rate is by creating more employers. 4. AfICTA could attract more business leaders by promoting knowledge sharing and advocating for a global mindset among the youth, noting the importance of creating companies not just for Nigeria but also for the broader world.

In attendance were:

L-R: Mr. Timilehin Ambali, COO of Dot-Engee; Mr. Opeyemi Onifade, CEO of Afenoid Enterprise; Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Principal Consultant at Kontemporary Konsulting Ltd and Chair of AfICTA's Advisory Council; Mr. Inye Kemabonta, CEO Tech Law Services & AfICTA Nigeria National Coordinator; Mr. Olusegun Olugbile, CEO of Araba Technologies;  and Mr. Ayodeji Rex, CEO of Management Edge Ltd along with AfICTA Secretariat.

Adrian Schofield, the Former Deputy Chair of AfICTA (Africa ICT Alliance) and esteemed member of its Advisory Council, officially retires from his impactful continental ICT engagement. The send-forth happened during a momentous session specially organized by the AfICTA Advisory Council - AAC during its  4th meeting held on November 14, 2023.

The occasion marked a heartfelt celebration of his exemplary career and his contributions to the formation and growth of the Alliance over the years. Recognizing him as an icon, the members of the AAC and AfICTA Board took turns to bid him farewell commending his unwavering commitment to realizing the vision of fulfilling the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa.

In recognition of his sterling contribution to ICT-enabled growth and development, an e-Certificate was presented to him as a token of appreciation for his relentless efforts. Responding, Adrian Schofield expressed how overwhelmed he was by all the kind words and congratulated Ms. Ulandi Exner for her new role as AfICTA Chair-elect. He said if anything makes him happy today, it would be people like Ms. Ulandi Exner and Mr. Thabo Mashegoane for rising to the task and challenge of international engagement.



View Adrian Schofield’s ICT Engagements Documentary Video as prepared by the AfICTA Secretariat.

The 11th edition of the Africa ICT Alliance Summit was held virtually between 14 - 16 November 2023 which vividly examined the theme "Transforming Africa's Economy through Digitalization for Sustainable Development" and was graced by esteemed speakers, ICT industry players, experts, and dignitaries within and beyond Africa. There were 6 (six) Panel Sessions during the summit each of which sparked up insightful discussion towards the exploration of pathways to digitally empowered Africa.

The event was widely attended by participants from over 26 African nations with more than 200 participants. We would like to appreciate all our esteemed event sponsors; ICANN Africa, BC-ICANN, Afenoid, CleanDNS, and Kontemporary Konsulting for their sponsorship support and also appreciate all our good-standing members for their frequent support to AfICTA. We will keep you informed of our future events.

For a quick recap of the event highlights, please visit our YouTube page for event recordings. Further information about the summit will be shared in due time.

AfICTA Secretariat.