The Transform Africa Summit 2023, organized by Smart Africa, kicked off in Zimbabwe yesterday, and TechAfrica News is on-site to cover the event. The summit’s theme, “Connected, Innovative, and Transformed Africa,” translates the roadmap of Africa’s digital revolution and the shared vision to accelerate the creation of a single digital market by 2030.
Mr. Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa, gave his remarks during the opening ceremony. Koné thanked the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for sponsoring the summit, and the other Heads of State, for their attendance.
He looked back on the 10-year journey of Smart Africa, which started as a modest institution with three staff members and a capital of $600,000. Today, Smart Africa has 36 member states representing a population of over 1.1 billion people.
Smart Africa’s dynamics represents a continent that is opened to the world and towards the future. To Cheetah Leap, we work with everyone who share the same vision of an integrated Africa.
Ten years later, our mandate remains as relevant as ever. As Abraham Lincoln wisely stated, “The best way to predict your future is to create one.” And I strongly believe our Alliance in this digital era will make the way to create a better future for Africa and the world.
Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa
Part of the opening ceremony were 5 heads of state H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, H.E President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, H.E President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, H.M King Mswati III of Eswatini, and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of technology as a development priority for Africa, stressing that rapid innovations in science, communications, and computing technologies are opening up new opportunities for enhancing participation by all in the modern global economy.
Technology is a development priority and must be embraced if our Continent is to transform, modernise and industrialise in a fast changing global environment. Rapid innovations in science, communications and computing technologies are opening up new opportunities for enhancing participation by all in the modern global economy.
African Governments and stakeholders from the Continent and beyond have an obligation to usher Africa into a knowledge based economy anchored on the benefits of technology. The onus is on all of us to facilitate the closure of gaps in living standards among African citizens, riding on ICTs. The peoples of Africa should not be left behind.
His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
We need to make the digital identities of individuals and businesses portable across borders while using technology to reduce barriers to trade.
President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame
TechAfrica News is excited to be present at the Transform Africa Summit and we are eagerly anticipating the impact this summit will have on Africa’s digital transformation. The Transform Africa Summit can serve as a catalyst for investment in the digital ecosystem, which is critical for Africa’s digital transformation. By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs, the event can help attract capital and resources to the continent’s digital economy, stimulating growth and creating opportunities across Africa.
Our team will work tirelessly to provide our audience with the latest news, insights, and analysis from the summit, ensuring that our readers are well-informed about the significant developments and emerging trends shaping Africa’s digital transformation journey. We look forward to sharing our coverage of the Transform Africa Summit with our audience and contributing to the discourse on the future of technology in Africa.
