Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa has challenged African governments together with global financial capital houses to prioritise funding of youth initiated innovations and startups as Africa gears to transform itself using information and communication technology driven solutions.
President Mnangagwa also outlined how Zimbabwe has enhanced the availability of ICT devices at affordable prices particularly to the youth.
The head of state and government and commander in chief of the Zimbabwe defence forces said this in his opening remarks at the Transform Africa Summit 2023, in Victoria Falls yesterday.
The Summit which is running under the theme, “Transform, Connect and Innovate” ends this Friday.
The colourful opening ceremony saw four Head of States coming together under one roof to celebrate Africa’s quest for digital transformation. Besides the host President Mnangagwa, also present was Rwanda President, Paul Kagame, Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera and His Majesty King Mswati 111 of Eswatini.
The Zimbabwean President also urged African governments to do away with it’s over obsession with generic off-the shelf software packages that were being sold to the continent at exorbitant prices.
“The numerous innovations and start-ups by our talented youthful population require support, the support not only of our governments but also from global capital. It is therefore pleasing that this Summit has a broad array of participants from both the public and private sector, extending beyond the African continent.”
“This Summit is being held at a time when lessons from the COVID 19 pandemic give impetus for Africa to develop its own capabilities, across the social, economic and industrial spectrum.
“To realize our vision of Transforming Africa through ICT, the young African innovators are challenged to deploy our Continent’s abundant raw materials for the production of ICT related hardware and gadgets.
“Our institutions of higher learning and techno-preneurs should also be supported to design relevant software solutions that speak to the intricacies of African economies and communities.
“It is a misnomer that we continue to rely on generic off-the shelf software packages availed to us at exorbitant prices. The Smart Africa membership comprising renowned global technology firms must be leveraged to catapult our capabilities.
“More must be done in this respect. In our case as Zimbabwe, an assembly factory has enhanced the availability of ICT devices at affordable prices, especially for the youths.”
