TINTSWALO BALOYI
PRETORIA, (CAJ News) – GIDEON Adogbo, Advisor and Special Assistant in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Nigerian Presidency, has emphasised the need for increased development of infrastructure for information communication technology (ICT) to empower Africa’s youth.

Speaking in Pretoria, South Africa at the annual Senior Experts Dialogue (SED) on Science, Technology and the African Transformation Agenda, he told experts and representatives of member states attending that without investing in the youth, Africa would lag behind in the ICT arena.

Adogbo said Nigeria was playing its with youth among the 152 million Nigerians connected to the internet through their GSM phones thus creating huge opportunities for innovators.

“Innovation must be turned into money or should help cities save money,” he said on Friday.

Experts from 21 African countries are attending the SED 2016.

SED 2016 seeks to identify key elements and issues, based on local experiences, that African governments, along with their international development partners, can take into account in formulating action plans to turn their cities from manufacturing and trade hubs into innovation hubs and centres.

The event is expected to produce a policymaker’s guide and recommendations for consideration and adoption by African governments.

-CAJ News