Cairo, Egypt – 23 November 2019: H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, is leading the Department’s delegation at the “Investment for Africa Forum” held in Cairo New Administrative Capital on 22-23 November 2019.

The African Union is organizing a high-level session on digital transformation to emphasize the growing development impact of adopting and investing in digital transformation and to explore opportunities to boost economic integration through harnessing the potential of the digital revolution. The panel focused on the important role that private sector and African youth entrepreneurs can play to support this agenda.

This session further discussed needed policy reforms to maximize the contribution of the digital transformation to advance the Continent’s regional integration and economic growth.

“Over the past few months, the African Union has been advocating for the need of a bold and inclusive digital transformation across the Continent, with the support of many public and private stakeholders. Dozens of written contributions, forums and meetings have helped build a broad consensus around a holistic vision that taps into the different pillars of the digital economy, including digital infrastructure, digital financial services, online platforms, entrepreneurship and digital skills.” highlighted Dr Abou-Zeid
The event provided a platform for interactive discussions between African leaders, IFIs, private sector executives, African entrepreneurs and youth on potential opportunities of collaborations between those key stakeholders to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation.
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“Recent figures show that the global digital economy is valued at around US$ 11.5 trillion, equivalent to 15.5 percent of the world’s overall GDP and is expected to reach 25 percent in less than a decade. This fast growing momentum of digital technologies is reshaping business models. As such, the rise of the digital economy offers a unique opportunity for the African countries to unlock new pathways for economic diversification, job creation, attracting new investments in various sectors and hence improving people’s livelihood.” said Dr Boutheina Guermazi, Director for Digital Development at the World Bank

With a focus on the key role that private sector – including established companies and young entrepreneurs – to help drive this ambitious inclusive digital transformation agenda for Africa, the session also invited young entrepreneurs from Africa to present their successful experiences of digital transformation projects in Africa.

“African youth talents are there, it is up to us and us only to act to enable their potential to act in their turn. So let's continue to think about youth for the youth and do not spare our efforts to bear the fruits” said Nair Abakar, member of the African Union’s Youth Council

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Media inquiry Contacts:
Sophia Nesri | PIDA Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy | African Union Commission I E-mail: sophian@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Esther Azaa Tankou / Head of Information Division / AUC / Tel: +251 911361185 /
E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

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