Last week in the beautiful city of Capetown, South Africa, the 19th World Economic Forum on Africa took place. Nine hundred participants from 50 countries participated on this event to candidly discuss the future of the region and its main challenges under the theme “Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Africa.”Infrastructure was top in the agenda, especially the need for broadband. Africa has a very low broadband penetration -- 1 percent of the population on average and 3 percent for South Africa -- and really has to invest in its broadband infrastructure now to help solve some of its social, economic and business issues.Yvon Le Roux, Vice President Cisco Africa and LevantWe proposed the idea that broadband should be considered a basic infrastructure; a critical foundation for the knowledge economy and for productivity gains. Broadband is a low cost infrastructure compared with other forms of infrastructures and one that can provide instant and real benefits in the short and long term. Broadband can make countries and economies more competitive, give rapid access to the knowledge economy to big groups of the population, reducing poverty, creating jobs and securing education for future generations. Education and entrepreneurship were high on the agenda as well. A recurrent question during the sessions was how to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit in the region, how to create more and bigger African companies and train the new generations in a culture that values risk and innovation. And here ICT and especially broadband, can play a critical role. More comments and remarks about the WEF Africa from our Cisco delegation:Anthony Vonsee, General Manager, North Africa and LevantDavid Seda, General Manager, Nigeria and West Africa
WEF Africa 2009: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Broadband
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I entirely agree with the comments made in the article – installing a broadband infrastructure should be seen as a relatively high priority to enable the region to develop. Access to the Internet is becoming more crucial as a knowledge resource. A decent broadband infrastructure would enable the country to enhance it’s position and educate budding entrepreneurs.
I agree look at how broadband has changed in the uk!At first we only had 512kb connection now bt is looking at 50mb connection for everyone in the country by 2011.I do believe that if a country wants to grow like India for example then a faster internet connection is vital.
Preface As many of those present were aware, this year’s meeting for 10 years or more. They were honoured by World Economic Forum on Africa was our 18th year of Klaus Schwab, who presented a commemorative gift activity in Africa. It is a continued honour for us to to each member. A session called “Coming of Age†maintain the trust of the community and to contribute saw interaction between some of the community’s to shaping the agenda in the current atmosphere of veterans and several newcomers on the collaboration, opportunity and partnership. achievements, commitments and aspirations that we share and on what more can be done to improve the The 2008 World Economic Forum on Africa focused community’s effectiveness.
It is really magnificent to see such a glorious event that has taken place a part from our differences and reside on something of a better belief that both sides can accept. The videos that were included was like icing.
Access to information is critical to bring developing countries in to the information age. The more universally available information access is, the sooner we will develop the next generation of great thinkers.
It’s sad to see that Africa lacks basic broadband infrastructure. I think that broadband is the key to future business and economic development… Broadband usage is growing more and more every day and if Africa doesn’t have this, then they’ll surely lose out economically in the coming decades.
it’s only a matter of time before the whole world is online and we can move beyond socio-geographical boundaries and work on core sociological issues
West Africa is a place I have always wanted to visit. Modernization is awlays good. It is important to see the Internet and technology being used more and more in all African countries
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
Broadband also expanding in our India, Specially BSNL broadband is now available all over the rural area in India, it is really very nice work by Indian Government.
Excelent event and grat coverage. I love how technology makes teh wortld smaller.