December 11, 2024 will remain etched in the annals of the history of technological innovation in Africa, as Kinshasa was the vibrant venue for the 13th edition of the ADEX African Forum. A major event that brought together the continent’s brightest digital minds to discuss the crucial issues of digital transformation.
The powerful speech by the President of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC), Christian Katende, highlighted the imperative of an inclusive digital transformation for Africa. Under the evocative theme “At the Dawn of Digital Nations, a Strong Africa”, the forum revealed the challenges and opportunities of this technological revolution on African soil.
Christian Katende stressed that digital technology now goes beyond the simple aspect of technology to become a societal revolution affecting areas as crucial as education, health and governance. Despite the continent’s immense potential, inequalities in access to digital infrastructure persist, with nearly 40% of the African population still deprived of the internet. Emphasis was placed on the need to develop the technological skills of young people to prepare them for a central role in this transformation.
The call for active and supportive collaboration was launched by Christian Katende, stressing that only cooperation between countries and institutions will make it possible to overcome digital challenges. The search for innovative solutions to build an inclusive and competitive digital Africa was encouraged.
In this approach, the Central African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARTAC) displayed its ambitious vision of becoming a driver of African digital development, by harmonizing regulatory frameworks and supporting technological innovation across the continent. The ADEX 2024 African Forum, under the chairmanship of Christian Katende, aims to be the catalyst for a more robust digital Africa that is better prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.
In conclusion, this meeting opened up stimulating perspectives for the future of Africa in the digital age, showing that cooperation and innovation will be the keys to inclusive and balanced technological development on the continent.