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Vision 2030: ICT a human and economic growth right

June 21, 2017 6:44 pm by: Category: BUSINESS, cloud, Featured, Software, Technology Leave a comment A+ / A-

ict-2By GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG – GOVERNMENT and the private sector must invest and ensure a strong information and communications technology policy framework in view of the position of digitization as the engine for South Africa’s future development.
This has been the prevailing message by Huawei, the global ICT solutions provider at the Vision 2030 Summit being held in Johannesburg.
Huawei’s keynote speaker, Leonard Chang, the Managing Director of Corp Industry Development Marketing, outlined key findings of Huawei’s Global Connectivity Index.
The GCI reflects the progress of 50 countries in terms of digital transformation.
He says Huawei’s research shows that every additional US$1 invested in ICT Infrastructure over time can yield up to US$5 in GDP growth by 2025.
South Africa ranked at 31 in the GCI and is the only African country to be included in the ‘Adopters’ category. These are countries with an average GDP per capita of US$15 000 and who are focused on increasing ICT demand to facilitate industry digitisation and high-quality economic growth.
“We can see opportunities for South Africa to grow further in the GCI with more investment in broadband roll-out, building of data centres and developing cloud services. This will leapfrog the country’s digitsation goals,” said Chang.
“Having a Vision 2030 plan is a great start, but a vision is not enough, we need an action plan with achievable targets. South Africa has to move faster to close the digital divide. Huawei believes that Connectivity is not just a human right, it is an economic growth right!” Chang said.
Huawei South Africa Chief Executive Officer, Steven Wu, said, “Huawei believes ICT should be a national priority strategy, with more investment and a supportive policy framework for ICT development. We’d also like to see more swift progress in significant projects like SA Connect and Safe Cities.”
The Vision 2030 Summit tackles all issues relating to the National Development Plan, South Africa’s economic blueprint.
Deputy Minister. of Telecommunications and Postal Services Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, said with 22 million South Africans still not connected to the internet, government’s ICT rollout is crucial.
She said collaborating with companies like Huawei is important to achieve the department’s goals.
Huawei is a key service provider to all local telecoms companies.
Expanding access to communication networks, it works with government and private enterprises’ to develop smart efficient business solutions to improve the lives of South Africans.
Huawei recently signed a partnership with electricity utility Eskom to build a smart grid which will be more efficient, cost effective, stable and reliable.
Its wireless communications network for the country’s passenger rail network Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has come on stream and is expected to improve safety and efficiency for the country’s millions of train commuters.
Huawei’s also set up an Open Lab in Johannesburg, where it will work with partners and customers to develop new solutions and joint innovations.
Guardian

Vision 2030: ICT a human and economic growth right Reviewed by on . By GIFT NDOLWANE JOHANNESBURG - GOVERNMENT and the private sector must invest and ensure a strong information and communications technology policy framework in By GIFT NDOLWANE JOHANNESBURG - GOVERNMENT and the private sector must invest and ensure a strong information and communications technology policy framework in Rating: 0

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