African Ministers of ICT and Communication will convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 23rd November 2023 for the 5th Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (STC-CICT), a biennial African Union ministerial meeting aiming at driving Africa’s digital agenda forward.
The Ministerial Session will be preceded by the meeting of experts to be held from 20-22 November 2023, AU said in a press release.
It is indicated that the gathering will enable AU Member States to review policies and strategies in a bid to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation in line with Agenda 2063, which seeks to transform Africa into the global powerhouse of the future through inclusive growth and sustainable development.
While the potential benefits of digital transformation for Africa’s development are substantial, limited resources, funding constraints, and a limited coordination present significant hurdles. With smart strategies, increased domestic investments, and improved collaboration, Africa can overcome the existing challenges and realize the promise of a digital economy.
According to AU, the meeting will also provide a chance to examine the advancement made in executing core communication initiatives. The review will spotlight the progress in putting key communication activities into action to promote the Africa Union with an emphasis on the mandate of the organization, Agenda 2063 and building the corporate brand identity to increase visibility and outreach.
The AU Commission looks forward to fruitful discussions and recommendations from Member States to advance the digital future of Africa for the benefit of all its citizens.