Members of the board and management of Digital Africa Global Consulting Limited have declared their readiness to host the second edition of the Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition, and the first ever edition of the prestigious World Electronic Forum (WEF) on the African continent.
The event tagged, “Towards Digital Singularity in Africa,” is expected to raise though provoking topics to address quantum of developmental challenges facing Africa, that lags behind other continents of the world in technology acquisition.
Other continents, especially the Americas, Europe and Asia seem to be on steroids in acquiring and adopting new technologies.
However, in Africa, there is no sense of urgency in this regard at all, said Dr. Evans Woherem, chairman, Digital Africa Global Consulting Limited, who spoke on behalf of members of the Board, during a media parley in Lagos over the weekend.
He re-emphasized that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is changing the world; transforming governance, agriculture, health, oil and gas, and financial services, among other sectors, by driving effective and efficient performance largely for the benefit of the governed, consumers and corporations
It is also a commonly known that countries that have technological competence are more developed and economically competitive; they are the higher pecking order of world development.
Dr. Woherem, however, said, “there is a difference between using technologies invented and innovated by another country and actually being the inventing country. It is more rewarding to be one of the key inventing and innovating countries of the world in technology. This is what I mean as technological competence. In other words, it is not the mere purchase and use of technologies invented from abroad.
“Although Africa had traditionally lagged behind in certain critical economic sectors, ICT is clearly a bright spot for the continent that must be seized to move the continent ahead confidently.
“Africa is the last frontier for most global technology brands that are seeking fresh and virgin markets. North America and Europe have almost reached a market saturation point for many ICT products and services. Growth in Asia and Latin America is quite modest. As at today, the most exciting ICT business opportunities lie in Africa and the Middle East.
“Of course, there is a difference between using technologies invented and innovated by another country and actually being the inventing country. It is more rewarding to be one of the key inventing and innovating countries of the world in technology. This is what I mean as technological competence. In other words, it is not the mere purchase and use of technologies invented from abroad”.
He added that, to get to the level of technological competence of the rest of the world, African countries need to run faster than they are running so far.
“This requires for our leaders to comprehend that reality and develop a sense of urgency for the development of technology and the economy.
“It is for this reason that Digital Africa Global Consult Limited was incorporated in Nigeria to provide ICT Services and engage in organizing events that bring ICT manufacturers, customers and policy makers together.
“We also promote activities that lead to increased level of innovation in Africa and provide a gateway for international companies interested in setting up presence and growing their businesses in Africa.
“In line with our vision of driving innovation and effective use of digital technology in Africa, we have instituted the following events: Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition, Digital Africa Prize and Digital Africa Magazine,” he added.
The event is a 3-day annual conference & exhibition for Africa’s technology sector and conceived as an integral part of the vision to move Africa from being a passive consumer to a dominant innovator and producer of digital technologies.
It is an important platform to network, share knowledge on the latest developments in the technology ecosystem, do business, and sign deals.