KIGALI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- African economies need to fully embrace information and communication technologies (ICTs) and enabling digital technologies to achieve much desired transformation on the continent, experts said Tuesday.
They were speaking at the fourth Transform Africa Summit that opened on Monday in the Rwandan capital Kigali under the theme "Accelerating Africa's Single Digital Market."
Rwanda hosts the high-level continental digital event from May 7 to 10 with much emphasis on transforming African continent using the power of digital technologies.
"There is a need to learn from developed economies in Asia, Europe and America, of which digital technologies have played a critical role in driving economic growth," said Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Econet, a global telecommunications group with operations and investments in over 20 countries.
ICTs and enabling digital technologies have led to job creation and advancement in healthcare, education, agriculture and general living standards in the developed societies, he said.
The ICT event has attracted more than 4,000 participants including global and regional government leaders, business and international organizations, members of public and private sectors, young innovators, civil society and academia among others, according the organizers.
"Africa still needs to solve the problems of poverty, education and poor service delivery. These digital advances and technology will help to address these challenges faster," said Zhao Houlin, secretary general of International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
He called on African leaders and policy makers to empower Africans to create and consume locally relevant technology, which could foster the kind of inclusive transformation that Africans need.
Technology will play an increasingly central role, as Africa transitions to the mainstream of the global economy, according to Mukhisa Kituyi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
"One of the most important things is that Africa needs infrastructure for ICTs to thrive. We need to focus on technology," he said.
"It's time for Africa to fully embrace it," he added.
"There is no doubt that technology is the foundation of modern, high-income economies. That's why we are investing so much in physical infrastructure and in the education required to use it," Rwandan President Paul Kagame said at the event.
"We should not only aim at high-end technology and innovation but also create a dynamism that goes back and addresses the lower end that affects the majority of our people," said Kagame.
Rwanda previously hosted Transform Africa Summit in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
This year's summit will feature the first transform Africa economic forum, a government to business engagement, leaders' summit, women's summit, smart Africa exhibition, and the fourth industrial revolution hub, among others, according to organizers.
