Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, 21st May 2015: African leaders are warning that the continent’s lofty
dreams may not be realized without a determined focus on information and
communication technology (ICT), skills development and innovation.
Speaking during the opening session of the 10th edition of eLearning Africa conference,
H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
emphasized that the African Union’s dreams of catalyzing an education and
skills revolution are not going to be easily realized, unless the current
creative and innovative capacities are properly harnessed. “There is an abiding
imperative for Africa to foster innovation and creative technologies as the
basis for advancements in ICT and sustainable economic development. It is the
duty of our governments, the private sector and all segments of our society, to
participate actively in maximizing the use and application of ICTs to create
competitive, knowledge economies, as well as economies of impetus. Such is the foundation
of gainful capital in human resource development," Mr. Mwencha said.
The Deputy Chair also made reference to the African Union’s Pan African University
Program which demonstrates the practical efforts being undertaken by the
Commission, to facilitate and implement Africa’s collective aspiration for
meaningful development underpinned by rapid transformations in science,
innovation, research and technology-driven education. “Such initiatives, firmly
anchored on the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA),
represent hope and potential for the future generation of Africans. Under the
STISA, the Commission will continue to pursue the elevation of Africa’s role in
global research, technology development and transfer, innovation and knowledge production,”
he said.
Ministers meeting at eLearning Africa’s Round Table for African ICT and education
ministers earlier also warned that ICTs were central to growth and African
governments needed to do more to mainstream them, particularly in the education
system.
Also gracing the occasion was Dr Debretsion Gebremichael, Deputy Prime Minister
of Ethiopia, Coordinator of the Finance and Economy Cluster, and Minister of
Communication and Information Technology who reiterated the deputy
chairs’ remarks saying that his Government has made efforts to make ICT a strategic priority.
“It has been abundantly clear that information and communication technologies
are entirely changing the way individuals, organizations and enterprises think
and do business. As a result, the Government of Ethiopia has made the
development of information and communications technology one of its strategic
priorities. For Ethiopia, the utilization of ICT aims at accelerating
development, sustaining growth and promoting the process of democratization –
while at the same time reducing the national level of poverty,” Dr Debretsion
said.
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel’s Personal Representative for Africa, Mr Guenter
Nooke, who also spoke in the opening session underlined the importance of
eLearning for the continent saying that technology-assisted learning can help
to develop the vital skills for the future of Africa. “Equipping young Africans
with entrepreneurial expertise enables them to develop innovative solutions
that will foster social and economic development. We need to create a digital
friendly environment,“ he said.
eLearning Africa, co-hosted by the African Union and the Government of Ethiopia,
is being held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa from 20th May to
22nd May 2015. In addition to the conference, which will be attended by over
1500 participants from all over the world, there is an
exhibition, at which a range of exciting new technological solutions will be
presented.
