In an important step towards driving Africa’s inclusive digital and green transformation, the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy (MICDE), in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Kenya School of Government, and Konza, Technopolis and timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation on December 6 launched the African Competency Center for Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skills and timbuktoo GreenTech Hub.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, said Africa is endowed with rich resources, innovation and talent, but these resources are not being fully harnessed to benefit socio-economic goals. He said no.
“Through the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and the African Competence Center for Digital and AI Skills, we are leveraging new technology opportunities and promoting Africa as the next frontier for technology-enabled responses to climate change impacts and strengthening public services. “Working with UNDP and other partners on these important initiatives represents a huge leap forward in delivering Africa’s digital and green transformation.”
timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and African Center of Competence for Digital and AI Skills are in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goal of an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous Africa through citizen empowerment and a skills revolution supported by science, technology and innovation. is in line with. By leveraging the innovations of African startups to drive Africa’s green transition and equip civil servants with essential technical capabilities to transform service delivery, Africa will build sustainable societies for the 21st century and beyond. while reimagining and accelerating comprehensive, human-centered solutions.
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Ms. Ahunna Ejiakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, said Africa’s green and climate technology sector has immense potential, but limited access to risk capital, market fragmentation and inadequate He said the country faces major barriers, including poor infrastructure.
Through the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub, UNDP will leverage the African Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII), the UAE’s $4.5 billion funding initiative launched at the African Climate Summit (ACS), to leverage Africa’s green energy potential. Bringing together private, public and development capital to unlock. . She added that Africa has the best human capital and agency to be at the forefront of the world’s socio-economic revolution. By fostering a culture of innovation and learning across all sectors, including the public sector, we are poised to foster a more responsive African ingenuity and talent fit for purpose in responding to humanity’s most pressing challenges.
“A successful green digital transition for Africa will require visionary collaboration of stakeholders across the public and private sectors, as well as national and global partnerships. Providing resources, tools is critical to bridging the digital divide and creating solutions that serve the common good and the continent’s progress in achieving both the global goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” said Winnie of AI. Kalanu said. National Skills Director at Microsoft.
As digital technology continues to drive socio-economic transformation, breakthrough solutions are emerging in key sectors.
Fostering a culture of digital experimentation can improve Africa’s competitiveness by preparing the private and public sectors to leverage data-driven decision-making and policy-making processes.
“African Center for Digital and AI Skills Competence provides an opportunity to reinvigorate excellence and efficiency in public institutions. The first group of our civil servants have already been trained through collaborations with UNDP, Microsoft, Google and other partners. The center aims to equip 100,000 Kenyan civil servants in the first phase. Civil servants from Uganda, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Tanzania and Nigeria are also expected to join the initiative, which aims to transform the way public sectors across the continent engage with the digital world and emerging technologies. ” said Professor Nura Mohamed, Director General of Kenya Government Schools.
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As digital technology continues to be a powerful driver of socio-economic transformation, breakthrough solutions are emerging in key sectors across the continent. The intersection of public and private, national and global actors presents a formidable front to harness the transformative power of technology across borders, and Kenya is uniquely positioned to facilitate this progress.
“Konza is more than just a technology hub. It represents Kenya’s commitment to a sustainable future where innovation drives economic growth. As a symbol of forward thinking and a pioneer in digital transformation, we is timbuktoo GreenTech Hub We look forward to hosting innovators from across the continent to Africa’s Silicon Savannah, where they will proactively strengthen Africa’s efforts and response to climate change. ” said John Paul Okwili, CEO of Konza Technopolis.
