{Rwanda is hosting the third edition of Transform Africa, a Summit that brings together different players from across Africa and the globe to fast-tract the continent\u2019s digital transformation agenda.}<\/p>\n
Themed \u201cSmart Cities Fast Forward\u201d, the Summit convenes Heads of State and other senior government officials, business leaders, young innovators, and representatives from international organization\u2019s to collaborate on new ways of shaping, accelerating and sustaining Africa\u2019s on-going digital revolution.<\/p>\n
Geared towards connecting, innovating and transforming the continent into a knowledge economy thereby driving global competitiveness and job creation, Transform Africa aims to enable Member States to become more competitive, agile, open and innovative smart economies. The Summit calls on African nations to leverage ICT innovations to transform the continent into a smart society.<\/p>\n
In its first edition held in 2013, seven African Heads of State signed the \u2018Smart Africa Manifesto\u2019 in which they pledged to provide leadership in accelerating socio-economic development through ICT. In January 2014, African Union Heads of State endorsed the Manifesto during the 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly n Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.<\/p>\n
Transform Africa 2017 brings special focus on the incorporation of ICT in building \u201cSmart Cities.\u201d The Executive Director of Smart Africa Secretariat, Dr Hamadoun Toure, points out that the Summit serves as a platform for edge-cutting ideas and initiatives in creating better and sustainable cities across the continent.<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipants will have an opportunity to debate and experience the next wave of innovative, integrated technologies that are already helping cities around the world become more compassionate, connected, responsive and sustainable,\u201d Dr Hamadoun says.<\/p>\n
He further adds that challenges brought about by urbanisation require African cities to have specific and efficient solution schemes.<\/p>\n
During summit, the \u2018Africa Smart Cities Blueprint\u2019 will be unveiled. Speaking about the Blueprint earlier in February 2017, the Rwandan Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, revealed that connectivity, security, digital service delivery, efficiently managed utilities, environment protection, health, and education are vital aspects of the Blueprint.<\/p>\n
The Summit that runs from 10-12 May 2017 will feature a number of key events. These include:<\/p>\n
Smart Africa Leaders Summit
\nSmart Africa Women\u2019s Summit
\nSmart Africa Business Leaders\u2019 Symposium
\nSmart Africa Conference
\nSmart Africa Invest Programme
\nSmart Africa Networking Hub
\nSmart City Exhibition
\nMs Geek
\nFace the Gorillas Smart City Edition<\/p>\n
The Summit is co-organised by the Government of Rwanda and the Smart Africa Secretariat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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