Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Philly Mapulane, conveyed to participants at the Ministerial Forum within the Africa Tech Festival that significant opportunities are on the horizon for investors in the digital realm.
The forum is dedicated to fostering a forward-looking, intelligent digital infrastructure in Africa. Mapulane emphasized that the government is not merely constructing a digital infrastructure but is also establishing the groundwork for socio-economic liberation in Africa.
“This gathering is a pivotal moment to synchronize our efforts, exchange insights, and catalyze transformative change in the digital communications sector across our continent,” he remarked.
The minister highlighted that a digital infrastructure is more than connecting cities and people; it is about linking dreams and aspirations. He argued that constructing a digital infrastructure is also about empowering the youth to access education and information at their fingertips.
The government envisions a South Africa with a seamless, intelligent, and accessible digital infrastructure for all.
“This forum provides us with a unique opportunity to develop a shared understanding of the importance and benefits of such a future-oriented approach,” Mapulane noted. “By collaborating and aligning our policies, we can harness the transformative power of digital infrastructure to foster innovation, drive economic development, and pave the way for a more inclusive and connected Africa.”
Leo Chen, president of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa, stressed the importance of continuing to build national broadband backbone networks in Africa, serving as the arteries of national network connectivity. He advocated for these networks to be extensible across various domains, connecting to different metropolitan area networks and campus networks, similar to a highly developed neural network. Chen asserted that the benefits of a robust digital backbone could lead to an estimated 5% increase in the GDP of African nations.
To achieve a great digital infrastructure, Chen emphasized the need for Africa and companies to share collective wisdom, vision, and determination to excel in digital transformation. He stressed the importance of sharing diverse experiences and best practices across the continent during the construction of a digital network.
