- Gachagua said African countries enjoy a youthful population that must be fully exploited for the technological advancement of the continent.
- The DP added that a digitally connected Africa presented a bigger opportunity to deal with barriers blocking better relations among countries.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has challenged African countries to exploit opportunities available in the digital space for socio-economic development of the continent.
Speaking on Thursday when he closed the Connected Africa Summit 2024 held at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, the Deputy President said the continent cannot afford to be left behind as other nations take advantage of digital opportunities.
“Our continent is not designed and destined to be an endless consumer of digital innovations. Africa must make digital innovation a lifestyle,” he observed.
Gachagua said African countries enjoy a youthful population that must be fully exploited for the technological advancement of the continent.
“Our people, especially the youth, are a potent resource that we are investing in for our continent to be an equal player in the global digital and innovation space, including in Artificial Intelligence,” he said.
The DP added that a digitally connected Africa presented a bigger opportunity to deal with barriers blocking better relations among countries.
“Cultivating and strengthening partnerships in developing and enhancing the digital infrastructure of the continent places us on the path to overcoming various barriers. It also enables us to exploit the digital economy as the foremost opportunity for the youth to be job creators, not seekers,” he stated.
He challenged the participants to actualise the summit’s declarations without delay for the benefit of the people.
“We must be measured by the value of the connectivity: how many businesses have been created, how many young Africans have access to meaningful and gainful opportunities, how value chains in Agriculture, Health or Education have been transformed," he observed.
The Connected Africa Summit 2024, held under the theme, “Shaping the Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking Growth Beyond Connectivity”, is a high-level international forum for key African policy and decision-makers aimed at shaping the future of Africa's digital economic landscape.
Since its inception in 2009, the summit has grown in stature, attracting increasing participation from key players in the ICT ecosystem.
The main objectives are to foster collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders, promote access to technology, improve digital infrastructure and leverage ICT for socioeconomic development across Africa.