THE Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services is set to host the e-Tech Africa Expo 2016 starting tomorrow to provide a platform for creating awareness about the opportunities, challenges and benefits from the adoption of ICTs on the continent.
BY OUR STAFF
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare yesterday, deputy minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Win Mlambo said the event was expected to bring a wide range of ideas, opinions, perspectives, research findings and expertise to expand knowledge frontiers for sustainable growth and development through ICTs.
Mlambo said the event would draw participants from the ICT industry, civil society, academia and government to discuss platforms for national and Africa’s development.
“The e-Tech Africa Expo will provide a platform for creating awareness about the opportunities, challenges and benefits derived from the adoption of ICTs in Africa as well as initiate practical measures needed to extend the ICT reach,” Mlambo said.
Some of the topics to be discussed were telemedicine, e-government, use of technology to enhance the access to and delivery of government services to benefit citizens, business partners and employees among others.
It is estimated that when internet penetration rise by 10% in emerging economies, it correlates with an incremental Gross Domestic Product increase of one to two percent.
In his 2016, national budget, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said government would make interventions in the ICT sector this year including the establishment of Data Centres, completion of Mile Connectivity, establishment of Community Information Centres and extension of E-Government Platform.
