Ray Chambers’ Post

Harris Announces Plans To Help 80% of Africa Gain Access To the Internet: Vice President Kamala Harris has announced the formation of a new partnership to help provide internet access to 80% of Africa by 2030, up from roughly 40% now. From a report: The announcement comes as follow-through on Harris' visit to the continent last year and in conjunction with this week's visit to Washington by Kenyan President William Ruto. Harris and the Kenyan leader had a public chat on Friday at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about how public-private partnerships can increase economic growth. "Many could rightly argue that the future is on the continent of Africa," said Harris, noting that the median age in Africa is 19, a sign of the potential for economic growth. "It is not about, and simply about aid, but about investment and understanding the capacity that exists." Africa has struggled to obtain the capital needed to build up its industrial and technological sectors. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

NIGERIA'S GOVERNMENT LEADS 54 AFRICAN NATIONS TO SOLVE INTERNET GOVERNANCE ISSUES Read: https://lnkd.in/d5Dj36wB Follow Business World Africa for exciting news updates in the African business space #business #africa #nigeria #internet #news

According to Google's Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) initiative opens up new economic prospects for the continent. In this document, she outlines a series of key recommendations for mutually beneficial collaboration between Africa and the United States. #DigitalTransformation #Africa #EconomicCooperation #UnitedStates #PublicPolicy #Google #BrownCapitalManagement #Forum Pren-Tsilya Boa-Guehe

🌍 Did you know that Germany plans to establish #DigitalDialogues with Ghana, Kenya and South Africa?   Last week on 31 August, the Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV) held a first stakeholder consultation for the three new Digital Dialogues. Stakeholders from business, civil society and academia joined the online discussions about key topics of #digitaltransformation in #Ghana, #Kenya and #SouthAfrica. Representatives of the German embassies in the countries shared insightful information on developments in digital policy and the digital economies.   🤝 The discussions highlighted the importance of #internationalcooperation on standards for new technologies, data protection as well as inclusion and sustainability in digitalisation.   The goal is to establish the bilateral dialogues between Germany and each of the three African countries by 2025, to then improve the framework conditions for the digital transformation together and at eye level. In addition to the exchange between governments, the Digital Dialogues offer a multi-stakeholder platform. The inclusion of different stakeholders ensures that political approaches correspond to current needs and priorities.   ➡ Read the full report on our website: https://lnkd.in/eaA3rnBg   ➡ And subscribe to our newsletter to not miss upcoming events: https://lnkd.in/ePXFyW3K

💬 Connect with us. Share your experiences. Tell your network! Join our 22 November webinar at 10:00 a.m. New York time on leveraging the power of remittances to accelerate Africa’s development. Together, let's explore the opportunities that this untapped resource could open for African economies. The continent is at a crossroads in terms of its standing in the global financial system. Calls are growing to transform the system and put the continent in its rightful place on the system’s leadership table, yet Africa continues to contend with existing financing mechanisms that hamper its development, including the high cost of transfers, which is 8.6 per cent - significantly higher than the global average of 6.3. Against this backdrop, Africa continues to persevere, demonstrating resilience and taking the reins of its development. 💰In 2022, remittances emerged as a crucial financial lifeline, surpassing Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa. They have become a primary source of finance for over 200 million African family members, showcasing their undeniable significance in the continent's economic fabric. 📈 West Africa, in particular, has seen a remarkable influx of remittances, receiving nearly $34 billion in 2022 alone. This flow of funds plays a pivotal role in regional development, yet, surprisingly, it remains underutilized as a financial resource. 🔄 Remittances have proven their worth, especially in times of economic crises. Their consistent growth and counter-cyclical nature highlight their strategic position in West African economies, offering a buffer against financial instability. 🔍 Despite their significance, remittances in Africa, particularly in West Africa, remain an untapped reservoir of financial support. Why is this the case, and what opportunities lie ahead? Connect with us to find out more. 🔗https://bit.ly/3QLxkKw

Announcing our latest Africa Business Community member! Welcome to Bernard Agbo from GIZ, Ghana. Visit https://bit.ly/3EuIY5W to Join FREE! Company Overview: As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We have over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe – from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector, and governments of other countries. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). #africa #sustainabledevelopment #impactinvesting #financialinclusion #africarising #socialimpact #socialinnovation #ghana

Announcing our latest Africa Business Community member! Welcome to Bernard Agbo from GIZ, Ghana. Visit https://bit.ly/3EuIY5W to Join FREE! Company Overview: As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We have over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe – from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector, and governments of other countries. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). #africa #sustainabledevelopment #impactinvesting #financialinclusion #africarising #socialimpact #socialinnovation #ghana

Yesterday at the Africa Youth Internet Governance Forum Nigeria 2023 theme: Emerging technologies; leveraging innovation for sustainable development and youth empowerment. The 2023 Africa IGF has brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including government, civil society, private sector, technical communities, and academia. with so much focus on open dialogue, collaboration, and exchanging ideas on crucial Internet Governance issues in the African region. #AFIGF2023 #youthdevelopment #internetgovernance

Let's talk about Digital Colonialism in South Africa 🌍 Digital colonialism may not be a term we hear often, but its impact on South Africa is profound. The South African government established a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) policy to resist US-based corporate colonization. However, the sad reality is that this policy preference is being sidelined. Instead, policymakers are leaning into the narrative of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution," emphasizing digital capitalism. The consequences are far-reaching, as this path prioritizes Big Data surveillance over the needs and rights of our people, especially in education and the economy. A recent dissertation has compellingly argued that US technological and conceptual dominance in South Africa constitutes digital colonialism. It's a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for public inclusion in policy formation and the central importance of People's Tech to create a free and equitable society. 💡 Here are some solutions: First, we must invest in digital literacy programs that equip our citizens with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world. A digitally literate population is not only more resilient but also less susceptible to external control. Encouraging the use of open-source software and technologies is another vital step. By reducing our dependency on proprietary solutions controlled by foreign corporations and governments, we can bolster our technological independence and security. To further drive this independence, we need to foster the growth of local tech ecosystems and startups. Supporting homegrown innovation and entrepreneurship will significantly reduce our reliance on foreign technology providers. Data sovereignty is a non-negotiable aspect of this journey. Enforcing data sovereignty laws that protect our citizens' data from foreign entities' control ensures that data remains within our borders and subject to local regulations. Ensuring digital inclusivity is paramount. We must work tirelessly to make technology infrastructure and access widespread and affordable, bridging the digital divide to prevent the further exclusion of marginalized groups. Lastly, we need robust regulatory frameworks that protect against foreign digital exploitation. This includes laws governing data protection, intellectual property, and antitrust to safeguard our digital future. #DigitalColonialism #SouthAfrica #FOSS #TechDiversity #DataMustFall #DigitalRevolution

The limited access to the internet significantly impedes #africa's digital transformation agenda, acting as a formidable barrier to progress. Insufficient connectivity hampers innovation and the widespread adoption of digital technologies, limiting the potential for economic growth. It obstructs entrepreneurs and businesses from fully harnessing the benefits of e-commerce and online platforms. Moreover, the restricted access to online education opportunities hinders the development of a skilled workforce necessary for the evolving digital landscape. This digital divide exacerbates existing inequalities, leaving vast populations underserved and excluded from the advantages of the digital era. Addressing this challenge requires concerted efforts in infrastructure development, policy frameworks, and strategic initiatives to ensure equitable and widespread access to the internet, thereby unlocking the full potential of Africa's digital future.That's why we the stake holders should support all efforts being made to improve access to internet.