Digital transformation key to AfCFTA success – Jiraji
Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Rosemary Isaac
The Co- Chair of G-20 Africa Digital Economy Summit (AfriDES), Mr. Kelvin Jiraji, has described digital transformation as key to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
He spoke in Abuja, today, while unveiling the summit which would be held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Sau Paulo, Brazil, next month.
According to Mr. Jiraji, who is also the convener of AfriDES, “Digital transformation is critical for the continent, especially in accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
“The gross expansion of the contours of technology and digital transformation has made it imperative to recognize the eco-systemic dimensions of the value chain of digital economy and the urgency to plug into its superstructures.
“One of the priorities of the Africa Digital Economy Summit therefore, is to foster robust engagements, leverage collaboration and partnership with Heads of Government, Policymakers, FinTech Providers,
Innovators, Entrepreneurs, and a broad range of Stakeholders and Key Industry Players across the globe.”
He said that digital trade has become a present reality and that Africa would immensely benefit from digital transformation, especially through payment platforms that would ease trans-border trade, through which to boost intra-continental trade in the region.
Mr. Jiraji explained that AfriDES’ theme: “Digital Transformation for Sustainable Growth: Africsa’s Path to a Connected Future,” was apt, adding Africa cannot continue to play the “catch up game.”
He said that AfriDES was a strategic vision of the Group of 20 Industrialized Nations, G20, in recognition of the significance of inclusive digital transformation on national and sub-national economies, as a catalyst for economic growth.
“It also appreciates the imperative of deepening synergy with critical Stakeholders worldwide to advance and enhance inclusive digital transformation. That is why it has institutionalized this side event, as a critical corollary of its Agenda,” the Co-Chair said.
According to him, “The Summit will also provide the fertile ground for a broad spectrum of Stakeholders to work in concert towards maximizing the potentials and sustainability of Africa’s vital digital economy infrastructures; while at the same time, develop and strengthen existing and new opportunities for networking, promote industry awareness, advocacy and providing support for public and private sector national and sub national digital economy and transformation interventions.
“This summit aligns with Africa’s institutional framework for achieving its Digital Economy Policy and Strategy and its implementation of the e-Government Master Plan.”
He described the summit as particularly strategic for Africa’s e-governance and its ecosystem because “Digital Economy resilience is the engine room for the implementation and articulation of economic and business policies and programs, both in the public and private domains, and serve as the catalyst for building efficiencies and capabilities to deliver on critical aspects of economic transformation, development and national re-engineering.”
The convener disclosed that top level FinTech entrepreneurs, Digital Economy policy makers and regulators, as well as, other strategic professionals have been mobilized to add value to the digital economy discourse in Africa and beyond at the summit.
“It is our strong expectation that the 4-Day Summit will also open up viable opportunities for the regeneration of the numerous economic and other viable investment opportunities that shall create wealth, provide job opportunities and stimulate development in Africa.
“The Resolutions from this Summit shall no doubt inject fresh ideas and initiatives into the policy planning architecture to reinforce a systemized and collective framework in actualizing digital economy priority objectives,” Mr. Jiraji said.
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