– Digital transformation is a decisive factor for overcoming poverty and underdevelopment in Africa
– Africa’s digital economy is projected to account for only 2025% of the continent’s GDP by 5.2
– When it is necessary to introduce Korean IT technology and collaborate with local companies
Côte d'Ivoire International Information and Communication Technology Forum (SITIC AFRICA 2022) Overview
The 6th International Forum on Information and Communication Technology (SITIC AFRICA 2022) was held at Sofitel from May 5 to June 30 under the theme of 'Toward Innovative Digital Devices', sponsored by the Ministry of Digital Economy of Côte d'Ivoire and Tunisia. The Forum was attended by many delegations from North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Mauritania), Sub-Saharan Africa (Ivory Coast, Senegal, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Togo, Kenya, Gabon, Rwanda, Nigeria, Djibouti, Madagascar), Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Jordan) and Europe (France, Belgium, Germany, Italy). this participated.
[Source: KOTRA Abidjan Trade Center]
At the opening ceremony of the Forum, Côte d'Ivoire Minister of Information, Communication and Digital Economy, Amadou Coulibaly, expressed the government's commitment to advancing the digital economy and promoting the country's top companies in the sector. According to Minister Amadou Coulibaly, Côte d'Ivoire's 2025 digital development strategy aims to increase the competitiveness of local businesses, improve the quality of public services and provide new socio-economic opportunities for all citizens.
This forum is a good place to share networking and experiences of information and communication technology (ICT) innovators, African business leaders, IT experts, and corporate executives and employees in digital fields such as 5G, Internet of Things, Big Data, Industry 4.0, and E-agriculture. it was In addition, the forum held a B2B conference, a forum on the latest topics related to ICT business in Africa and developed countries, and various workshops on ICT. The Minister of Information and Communication Technology of Tunisia, Nizar Néji, stressed the need to continue exchanging expertise in Africa's digital infrastructure, cloud, data centers and areas of common interest related to the development of industrial knowledge.
<Major numbers of the 6th International Information and Communication Technology Expo>
[Source: SITIC AFRICA 2022]
Key Issues at SITIC AFRICA 2022: Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity
Digital is an important means to combat poverty and underdevelopment in Africa, and the main issue of SITIC AFRICA 2022 is undoubtedly the digital transformation of all sectors of the economy of the continent, including agriculture, industry and services. It is self-evident that this is to increase the competitiveness of local companies. Information and communication technology promotes innovations essential to accelerating economic growth today, and its application fields are very broad, including e-agriculture, e-health, digital finance (Fintech), mobile banking, and innovation in industry and education 4.0.
The challenge facing the African continent is to transform the ICT sector into an essential tool for development. However, one of the most important prerequisites for this is cybersecurity. This is because cyber terrorism poses a real threat to African countries that are not prepared to deal with cyber attacks. However, Africa is not yet fully utilizing ICT. According to the e-conomy Africa report by Google and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Africa's digital economy will account for only 2025% of the continent's GDP by 5.2 and is projected to reach approximately $2050 billion by 1,800.
<View of booth at International Information and Communication Technology Forum>
[Source: Self-photographed at KOTRA Abidjan Trade Center, JOOL International]
<On-site interview with participating companies: JOOL INTERNATIONAL>
implication
Since Africa's digital economy is projected to account for only 2025% of the continent's GDP by 5.2, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology of Côte d'Ivoire said, "The IT industry has no choice but to be the government's top priority." Local interest in areas where Korean companies have strengths, such as e-agriculture, e-health, Fintech, mobile banking, 5G, Internet of Things, and big data, is high in local interest.
KOTRA Abidjan Trade Center was able to meet many African companies active in the digital field through Citic Africa 2022, and also accumulated a list of potential buyers for KOTRA's various ICT-related events. We recommend that you try knocking on the door of the local IT market using the KOTRA Abidjan Trade Center as a platform.