ICT in Africa- Mozambique 2009

Just retuned from Mozambique where I was a Keynote Speaker for AITEC Africa, www.aitecafrica.com. This year event was held at the National Convention Centre of Mozambique, opened by Sean Moroney the Chairman of AITEC Africa and held under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Technology, represented by Americo Muchanga. AITEC Mozambique was outstanding, unique and informative. Without a doubt from my experience it’s the best and leading ICT platform in Africa today.  This unique and remarkable African Event has demonstrated the progress on ICT in Africa, especially in Mozambique. It also reflected the commitment of the Government of Mozambique, particularly the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Venancio Massingue.

The events was not only marked by the presence of top African CEO’s coming from the Southern and Eastern Africa regions with varied expertise on Mobile Technology, Banking, Investment Banking, Management Services and IT Governance in Africa but also Executives and Software companies, vendors travelling from all over the world to attend this event.

Presentations, talks varied from Rebranding Africa via Social Media, East African Internet connectivity, IT Governance, Data Management, Content Management, Marketing, and New Media to the importance of e-Government in Africa. Mozambique is one of Africa’s more progressive countries in e-government and was recently awarded fourth place in Africa for successfully implementing it.

AITEC Africa is a growing platform in Africa, the most powerful series of ICT events in Africa. Founded 21 years ago by Sean Moroney, South African-born and managed by his beloved wife Helen Moroney and their sons, the AITEC team really rocks as they understand the information needs of ICT in Africa. More than 450 people attended this Mozambique event not to count Exhibitors.  The event attendees varied from business professionals in Mozambique to establish and reputable organisation in Africa such as the Accounting Firm Giant KPMG, Microsoft Africa, SAP Africa, Oracle Africa, Dimension Data, VODACOM and SEACOM, also sponsors at this event.

Whilst Africa is dominating the world news at present, these sort of events need to continue to take place in the whole continent as they bring people from all walks of life to meet, collaborate, share and learn. ICT solutions are key to the sustainable progress in Africa. AITEC Africa is really leading the way in Africa. For more Aitec Africa events, please visit their website, www.aitecafrica.com or contact the team directly.

Obrigada!

(All the conference presentations are available on the AITEC web site www.aitecafrica.com.)

Education to Africa, can we talk about it?

Baird’s CMC an international communication management consulting firm, operating in 11 countries with 28th partners employing over 400 people, represented in Washington, DC, New York, Johannesburg, Gaborone, Harare, Mumbai, London etc… has recently conducted a qualitative survey phase 1 in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce called” The Conversation behind Closed Doors”. An excellent insight on how Corporate America really views Africa. Reading the survey opened my eyes tremendously as it was detailed and interesting to read.

If Africa has always been seen as the eternal assisted continent that needs Aid to come out of Poverty, why a solid emphasis on Education was not on all the programs at the first place and if the wish list of the corporate according to the survey was to educate our people so they can be employable, why more was not done? Why focus on aid?

I am totally convinced that Africa needs to educate its people more in order to sustain the development of the continent. With out education, Africa cannot be free or independent. The Africa human capital will have to contribute positively to the growth of the continent. The percentage of the African human capital outside the continent is greater than any thing I have never seen therefore urging wherever that percentage is to start transferring their skills.

By transferring the skills to Africa, we will be able to share knowledge, train the young generation of men and that are clearing struggling to find jobs.

To be continued…