Report back on NEPAD ICT Africa Summit

This statistic set the tone for the two-day Nepad ICT Africa Summit, held in Cape Town this week, and attended by more than 180 delegates from South Africa and other African states.

Cabinet obligations prevented Zimbabwes Honourable Minister of ICT, Nelson Chamisa from presenting his governments views on technologys role in the countrys future. Sam Kundishora, Permanent Secretary in the ICT Ministry took Mr Chamisas place.

Concluding with the statement We cannot afford to walk while others run, Mr Kundishoras presentation included some telling statistics. Cell phone penetration in Zimbabwe continues to rise from 8% in 2008 to 50% in 2010, while SIM card costs have fallen from $80 to below $1.

(Pictured: Over 180 delegates listened to presentations by various government and private sector ICT stakeholders at the Nepad ICT Africa Summit, held in Cape Town earlier this month)

Mr Kundishora appealed to investors to take advantage of emerging ICT opportunities, but did not explain why investors should risk their money given ZANU (PF)s claim that Zimbabwe is under blanket sanctions. Other presentations on the programme emphasised the enormous role that ICT plays in Africas ongoing development. As Johnny Aucamp, Manager: Strategic Relations and Business Development Africa at MTN, said: Whoever can do the most with the most data packets, wins.

At the current rate, a trillion connection devices will exist across Africa by 2014/15, said Cisco Systems Peter Masemola. Information is the new utility. Broadband is becoming a basic piece of infrastructure. Technology should help improve Africas living standards, promote development and improve competition.

Africa could leapfrog developed countries by immediately adopting new technologies, said Joy-Marie Lawrence, Business Connexion General Manager. With gender equality as a Millennium Development Goal, technology such as mobile should be used to empower and promote women. But poor education forces women to be consumers, not innovators.

Bandile Hadebe of the Presidential National Commission called for more political commitment to promoting ICT as a vital component in basic education. He expressed concern at governments inaction after their announcement eight years ago to establish an ICT university.

Risto Ojanpera, ELISA Vice President: Business Consulting, introduced a Northern Cape project where an ICT framework was supporting high quality digital service delivery. With 27% of the population under 25, ICT should be fully harnessed to feed, educate and govern.

The event showcased technological innovation for all sectors. Globally, government agencies are applying biometrics to significant effect in the health and service sectors. A mobile tool ensures that ARV patients are taking their medicines correctly. In other areas,software tools improves teaching and school administration processes.

Kgaogelo Mohlala, Limpopo Department of Agricultures Senior Manager for Information Technology, presented great strides in e-education and agribusiness. In one programme, 500 farmers have received training and the province has committed to exposing every grade 3 child to ICT by 2015. But money, reliability, maintenance, and dedicated support were barriers to effective ICT deployment.

On day two Marie-Anne Kleynhans, Managing Director of Edupac, and John Bredenkamp, from Plato Southern Africa, highlighted the risks and opportunities associated with introducing ICT to schools. Later, Sphiwe Chireka from researchers Frost & Sullivan presented strategic telecommunications developments in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is at the frontline of the mobile communications revolution thanks to healthier competition, lower tariffs and cheaper smartphones.