His Excellency, Dr
Atef Helmy, Our Esteemed Founder Dr. Jimson Olufuye FNCS, members of the Advisory Council, Past Chairs, newly elected Board Members, Regional Vice-Chairs, National Coordinators, esteemed members of the AfICTA family across Africa, ladies and gentlemen,
Good day to you all.
I stand before you today with deep humility, gratitude, and a profound sense of responsibility as I formally accept the mandate to serve as Chairman of the Africa ICT Alliance for the 2026–2029 tenure.
This mandate is not mine alone. It belongs to all of us: the founders who carried the original vision, the past leaders who sustained the institution, the members who continue to believe in AfICTA, and the newly elected Board that now bears the responsibility of taking the Alliance into its next phase.
Before we look ahead, we must first honour the foundation on which we stand. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to our Founder, Dr Jimson Olufuye, and to the succession of dedicated past leaders, Advisory Council members, Board members, and volunteers who have built AfICTA into a recognised continental voice for the ICT industry. Your vision, sacrifice, advocacy, and commitment have given us an institution with history, credibility, and continental relevance.
We are not starting from zero. We are building on legacy.
At the same time, every serious institution must evolve with the times. AfICTA is currently undergoing an active constitutional review, and I see this as a sign of institutional reform and maturity. It shows that our Alliance is willing to reflect, improve, and align its governance structure with the changing realities of Africa’s digital economy.
As Chairman, I will respect that process. I will support it constructively, and I will work alongside the Constitution Amendment Committee, the Secretariat, the Advisory Council, and all members to ensure our reforms strengthen unity, clarity, accountability, and institutional continuity.
As we begin this new tenure, the central direction of our administration is clear: AfICTA must expand and strengthen its role as a Pan-African, private-sector-led, pro-industry alliance that creates measurable value for technology businesses across the continent.
Our work must continue in policy advocacy, but it must also expand purposefully into practical execution, commercial facilitation, member services, digital trade enablement, and industry growth.
This is why our administration will be guided by the DIVR Philosophy:
● Deliberate Impact: AfICTA must pursue programs that produce measurable results for our members, businesses, policymakers, and the African digital economy.
● Enhanced Visibility: African technology enterprises must be better represented, better profiled, and better positioned in continental and global digital economy conversations.
● Sustainable Revenue: AfICTA must build a stronger financial base through lawful, transparent, member-focused, and value-driven services, ensuring the Alliance can sustain its work without depending solely on dues, goodwill, or occasional sponsorship.
One of the greatest opportunities before us is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and, in particular, the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol. This is not merely a policy instrument; it is an opportunity to open new markets, connect African innovators, reduce trade friction, strengthen digital trust, and enable our members to participate more actively in cross-border digital commerce.
AfICTA must be highly intentional in supporting African technology companies in accessing these markets. We will work with the Board and our members to deploy practical initiatives—such as a Pan-African member capability directory, regional business dialogues, B2B and B2G opportunity platforms, and the adoption of the AfICTA Adaptive Cyber & Data Privacy Seal—to help African ICT businesses navigate compliance barriers and compete with confidence. We will also continue to engage meaningfully with the global digital ecosystem. AfICTA’s history of international engagement is a core strength.
However, moving forward, our global partnerships must increasingly translate into practical value for African industry. We will collaborate globally, but we will do so through the lens of African mandate, with a clear private-sector interest, and a resolute commitment to strengthening our continent’s digital sovereignty and innovation capacity.
The challenges before us are significant. Africa still faces fragmented digital policies, uneven infrastructure, and market access constraints. But these challenges are not reasons to hesitate; they are the very reasons we are called to lead.
To my fellow elected Board Members: the members have entrusted us with responsibility, not just titles.
Our success will depend on how well we work together, harmonise our ideas, respect our Constitution, support one another’s mandates, and deliver visible results.
To the Regional Vice-Chairs and National Coordinators: your roles will be the engine of this new phase. AfICTA must be felt not only at the continental level, but deeply within regions, countries, business communities, and innovation hubs.
To the Advisory Council and Past Chairs: we will continue to need your wisdom and institutional memory. Your experience remains a highly valued asset to this Alliance, and I look forward to drawing from it as we move forward.
To all members: I ask for your active participation. This Alliance will only be as strong as the commitment of its members. Let us move from observation to contribution, from discussion to execution, and from individual interest to collective continental impact.
This is a time for unity, service and deliberate implementation of mandate. Let us honour the legacy we inherited by building the future our industry deserves.
I thank you all for your trust and support.
May God bless AfICTA. May God bless Africa.
Dr. 'Segun Olugbile, FNCS
Chairman, Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA)
2026–2029 Tenure
