Africa must focus on harnessing its own resources to drive digital transformation and reduce its reliance on external support, according to William Kabogo, the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy. Speaking at the ITU Regional Development Forum for Africa (ITURDF-AFR) in Nairobi, Kabogo emphasized that the continent has the capacity to achieve sustainable and independent growth in the ICT sector by tapping into its economic strength, cultural diversity, natural wealth, and human capital.
Kabogo’s statement comes as part of an effort to reshape the narrative around Africa’s digital transformation. He called for a shift in how the continent approaches technological growth, urging that digital development should no longer be seen as a project led by foreign entities. Instead, it should be a homegrown priority, driven by Africa’s own leadership and resources. “This is the appropriate time for Africa to harness its economic, natural, cultural, and human resources to ensure sustainable and independent growth in the ICT sector and beyond,” Kabogo said.
The forum, hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), brought together ICT ministers, regulators, and tech leaders from across Africa. The meeting serves as a platform for discussing the region’s digital development agenda, with a focus on fostering stronger regional collaboration and policy unity. Kabogo stressed the importance of regional integration in addressing the digital divide, calling for unified policies to ensure Africa can compete globally in the digital era.
He pointed out that the time for Africa to drive its own digital transformation is now, as the continent has all the necessary resources at its disposal. He urged African nations to adopt a collective approach to the digital economy, focusing on local solutions to close the digital gap and foster sustainable growth.
The meeting was attended by high-level officials, including ICT ministers from Nigeria, Ghana, Chad, and Lesotho, as well as representatives from the African Telecommunication Union and the East African Communications Organisations.
