Spotlight on Information and Technology as African Heads of States Meet in Addis Ababa

The AU in Session

Africa Union heads of state and government are converging in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments. This year’s theme is Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in Africa Challenges & Prospects for Development in recognition of the role of ICT in development. The AU is spearheading a continental program to interconnect capitals on major African cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012.

Also top on the agenda is the launch of the Year of Peace and security in Africa that is likely to lead to discussions on situation in Somalia. The heads will also review the report of the commission on climate change negotiations held in Copenhagen last December.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) facilitate greater access and circulation of knowledge, as well as foster creation of new knowledge and its implementation. For Africa, the role of ICT for economic and social transformation offers opportunities, potential, and a challenge. ICT stands to enhance the integration of Africa in terms of infrastructure, culture and economy, and may thereby contribute significantly to social, economic and political development. ICT plays a critical role in meeting the Vision of the AU and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as delivering better livelihoods.

Harnessing ICT for the needs of Africa must mobilize broad-based effort to build up capacity to absorb relevant knowledge, skills and technology, establishment of enabling environment that fosters innovation and investments in technology and business, as well as laying down the necessary continent-wide digital infrastructure. Implementation and application of ICT facilitates change and productivity improvements across all layers of society and economy and better live for the poor and under-privileged. It brings quality education to growing populations, improved delivery of government services, as well as enhances the global competitiveness of aspiring African high-technology entrepreneurs and companies.

The unfolding digital convergence, bridging telecommunications, computing, and media over internet, is unleashing an unprecedented wave of innovation and synergies in technology, services, and business. Accompanied by steeply falling prices on products and services, these developments stand to facilitate massive penetration of mobile telephony, internet, and other ICT products and services in Africa, allowing low-income and poor people to take advantage of new ways of acquiring, holding and implementing knowledge and information.

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