The ICT sector is critical for the growth of the African economy and it’s going to require collective efforts from both governments and the private sector to improve connectivity and ensuring cost effective quality connectivity to all.
This was the message from panelists at the AfricaCom launch yesterday, talking on the theme “Connecting Africa: Economic development and social empowerment through digital connectivity”.
The panel, including including Google SA MD Luke McKend, Ruckus Wireless director: sub-Saharan Africa Riaan Graham and Mott MacDonald head of Africa: digital infrastructure Bora Varliyagci, agreed that there needs to be better coordination, collaboration, a focus on education and skills development and a more holistic approach from all industry players should we wish to see positive change; connectivity to all is a massive challenge and can’t be achieved in silo; and government needs to be more proactive and forward thinking in their approach from a policy to infrastructure perspective should we wish to see rapid growth.
AfricaCom 2016, taking place from 14-18 November 2016, at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, will see a new event format.
Jake McNulty, head of marketing at organiser KNect 365 TMT, says: “The conference and exhibition will still take place over 3 days (15-17 November), but with our expanded networking features the event will span the entire week.”
