AFICTF to support ICT innovation hubs, disruptive innovations across Africa- Ojobo

Ladesope Ladelokun

The African Information and Communications Technology Foundation (AFICTF) is set to support the emergence of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) innovation hubs that will enable start-ups capable of disruptive innovations to grow.

President of AFICTF and Board of Trustees’ Chairman, Mr Tony Ojobo, said this at the inauguration of the new Board of Trustees in Lagos. Ojobo, at his inaugural speech, said there was a need for Africa to declare a state of emergency in the area of ICT development.

He said the Foundation would be involved in research and educational activities that will include setting policy agenda on technological innovations.

The Foundation, which was established in 2009 to address issues surrounding Africa’s digital inclusion, also disclosed that it had concluded a two-year digital inclusion plan that addresses policy and infrastructure issues.

According to him, ICT is capable of boosting GDP growth on the continent and creating a lot of jobs, adding that it was necessary for African countries to be aware of the potentials in the sector.

He, however, called for collaboration between government and non-government actors to improve ICT penetration in Africa in order to make ICT more accessible and affordable to Africans.

The former Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said African leaders must embrace the use of ICT through its adoption for ease of doing business and processes required for industrial growth,

adding that technology not applied cannot deliver the desired dividends.

“Our inexhaustible focus is at the intersection of technological innovations such as telecommunications, Information Technology and data, life sciences, trade and globalization, agricultural biotechnology and clean energy.

It is poised towards providing high-quality information analysis, policy pragmatism and recommendations that can be trusted”, he said.