AfICTF, OCCAM seal pact on digital communications

A non-governmental organisation that champions digital inclusion on the continent, the African ICT Foundation (AfICTF), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Observatory for Digital Communication (OCCAM) of the United Nations, to explore benefits of digital communication in Africa.

According to the pact, both organisations will explore the benefits of digital communication, especially e-learning and ICT platforms for global development, research, providing education to young people, technological innovation, and its applications to expand the benefits of new technologies to disadvantaged communities.

The MoU was signed by both organisations after careful consideration of the importance of digital communication and new technologies in inducing sustainable global development, research, granting education to young people, technological innovation, and its applications to reach the 2030 UN Agenda.

Specifically, the MoU will help to facilitate the exchange of digital innovation, researchers, and experts for conducting research or exchange ideas while also providing opportunities to participate in conferences, symposia, and international meetings of both organisations.

The MoU is also going to open up opportunities for collaboration for the AfICTF and OCCAM in holding joint conferences, research, technical and audio-visual projects as well as participation in European and African Union projects or other international funded projects for promoting digital communication, e-learning and ICT technologies for telemedicine.

President of the AfICTF, Tony Ojobo said that the partnership would boost the foundation’s quest to deepen Internet penetration across the continent saying that it would help to actualise its mandate of affordable and reachable ICT and broadband Internet for Africans everywhere.

He also stated that the MoU would further help the Foundation to fulfill its mandate formulating, evaluating, and promoting ICT and telecommunication policies, which are aimed primarily at creating job opportunities, accelerating innovation, and boosting productivity and the progress of the African economy.
   
Commenting on the MOU, Arch. Saporito, President of OCCAM, said that a collaboration between our two organisations could improve the paradigm shift towards a fairer and more inclusive digital society.

“We live in a period of transition. Transition has become the keyword of the global agenda. Understanding where this digital transition will head us to is crucial. Only a collaboration and a shared interpretation could lead us to a more equal and participative digital habitat.”