"President Paul Kagame has emphasized that digital technology is an untapped sector that needs to be exploited to contribute to the development of the continent.\n\nAddressing more than 2000 participants comprised of mobile tech experts, private sectors, and industrial researchers, Kagame clarified that digital technologies are not tapped enough to match the demand of the coverage that is required by Africans.\n\n\u201cDigital technologies are a catalytic force for development in Africa, yet almost half of adults in low and middle-income countries do not have access to the internet even when leaving in areas with broadband coverage,\u201d\u00a0Kagame said while addressing the participants during the MWC Africa 2022 summit in Kigali.\n\n\u201cDigital infrastructure is key, but it\u2019s not enough. To leverage the potential of connectivity investments in digital skills and literacy must be integrated into our national policies.\u201d\n\nKagame called on sector players to create a favorable environment for young Africans who are enthusiastic in the technology sector urging them to play their part in promoting digital transformation.\n\n\u201cAfrica is home to creative and tech-savvy youth looking for the right platform to contribute solutions. We cannot afford to reduce them only to a statistic, only, or seat idly by, as they seek opportunity outside of Africa.\u201d Kagame said.\n\n\u201cSignificant strides have been made on the continent to accelerate the digital transformation, through initiatives spearheaded by the African Union and Smart Africa among others.\n\nHowever, to leave no one behind means a number of things as well and we must recognize that digital transformation is not a zero-sum game, where progress must come at the expense of the most vulnerable. Not at all.\u201d\n\nAlso, according to Kagame, promoting mobile and digital technologies is one way ticket towards implementation of the AfCTA.\n\n\u201cEveryone, regardless of status, or gender, must benefit if we want to create lasting change. Universal and meaningful and meaningful connectivity can be a springboard, for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area,\u201d Kagame said.\n\n\u201cThis is less about leapfrog legacy systems, and more about digitizing faster and taking full ownership in building the Africa we want, because we can, all of us together,\u201d he added. \u201cEverywhere in the world, emerging technologies are shaping our economic future as well as the conditions for peace and security.\u00a0 To speed up the prosperity, technology has to go hand in hand with good governance.\u201d\n\nSpeaking at the event, Minister for ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire reiterated that more digital economies will remain untapped if the stakeholders sit idly without acting.\n\n\u201cImagine Africa where a half of our people are left behind as the world moves strongly into the digital future, building digital economies that benefit them.\u00a0 Imagine Africa becoming less competitive as we fell to work together for the challenges facing us on the path to prosperity in our collective digital future.\u201d Minister Ingabire noted emphasizing that \u201cThis is not the Africa we can be in tomorrow.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe need to work together to work hand in hand within our national boundaries, our regional boundaries, cooperation initiatives and within a global corporation Framework as well.\u201d Minister Ingabire added.\n\nMatt Grannyard, the Director General, GSMA, US said it is a big responsibility for\u00a0 everyone to promote digital technologies recognizing that the sector has been a \u201cwonderful privilege\u201d over the past two decades on the continent.\n\nHe argued that mobile growth across Sub-Saharan Africa has absolutely been phenomenal by the end of the last year.\n\nWith illustration, he said, there were more than 500 million mobile subscribers on the continent.\n\nThe mobile industry contributes to 5 % of the global GDP cashing in revenues worth US$4.5 trillion USD globally.\n\n<strong><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67386\" src=\"https:\/\/taarifa.rw\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Kagame-image-2-2.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1376\" \/>President Paul Kagame full speech bellow;<\/strong>\n\nIt is a real pleasure to be joining you, for the first in-person Mobile World Congress Africa.\nI welcome you all to Rwanda. We are very pleased to host you. I wish to thank GSMA, for choosing our country as the venue for this year\u2019s conference.\nDigital technologies are a catalytic force for development in Africa.\nYet, almost half of the adults in low-and middle-income countries do not have access to the internet, even when living in areas with broadband coverage.\nDigital infrastructure is key, but it is not enough.\nTo leverage the potential of connectivity, investments in digital skills and literacy must be integrated in our national policies.\nIn Rwanda, with the support of the private sector, Kigali Innovation City aims to develop a competitive and productive workforce, and a conducive environment for start-ups.\nAfrica is home to creative and tech savvy youth, looking for the right platform to contribute solutions. We cannot afford to reduce them to a statistic, only, or sit idly by, as they seek opportunities outside Africa.\nOur young people have a lot to offer. We must do our part, and keep our promise to them.\nSignificant strides have been made on the continent to accelerate the digital transformation, through initiatives spearheaded by the African Union and Smart Africa, among others.\nHowever, to leave no one behind, we must create a more enabling legal and regulatory environment.\nHowever, to leave no one behind means a number of things as well, and we must recognize that digital transformation is not a zero sum game, where progress must come at the expense of the most vulnerable. Not at all.\nEveryone, regardless of the status, gender or nationality, must benefit, if we want to create lasting change.\nUniversal and meaningful connectivity for all can be a springboard, for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.\nThis is less about leapfrogging legacy systems, and more about digitizing faster and taking full ownership in building the Africa we want, because we can, all of us together.\nEverywhere in the world, emerging technologies are shaping our economic future, as well as conditions for peace and security.\nTo speed up prosperity, technology has to go hand in hand with good governance.\nI trust that you will take this message with you, throughout the conference. Once again, welcome to Rwanda. I wish you a very productive meeting, and a pleasant stay in our country.\nI thank you for your kind attention."