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Activities 1. The Forum “ICTs in Africa: A Continent on the Move” The Forum generally comprises a spectrum of ministers, CEOs, and regulators from Africa and other parts of the world, as well as distinguished speakers and panelists, whose expertise is unveiled in the different workshops and roundtable discussions organized within the context of the Forum. The occasion is also an opportunity for policy makers and international development partners and investors to come together to discuss the implementation of a variety of developmental issues for African countries. Key areas to be explored at the Forum will include the latest technologies and new infrastructure solutions being deployed across this diverse region, the prospects for the region’s fast-growing mobile markets, the impact of market liberalization and much more. The Forum has always been central to all ITU TELECOM AFRICA events. It is the Event’s main networking tool and the effective platform for discussions on the future of ICTs in Africa. The Forum at AFRICA 2008, under the theme “ICTs in Africa: A Continent on the Move” will tackle several ICT issues including the position of Africa today in terms of ICT infrastructure and users’ access to new communication technologies, the challenges and opportunities implied and solutions available through public private partnerships, innovative technologies and entrepreneurship. Special emphasis will be given to the goals and aspirations that were set out during the Connect Africa Summit, held in Kigali, Rwanda in November 2007, and in the WSIS action plan, and how these are being implemented. The Forum will focus on homegrown innovation and entrepreneurial success stories, such as Technology Parks in Africa, which are playing a particularly important role in the development of ICT in the region. On the other hand, the Forum will also discuss new threats that impact user confidence in the use of ICTs, such as cyber security issues. The Forum will address how Africa’s consumers are driving market innovation and business models and how they themselves are creating applications and opportunities for businesses. It will also shed the light on some of Africa’s most dynamic drivers for new usages and innovation: mobile wireless infrastructure, m-payments, and m-commerce, in addition to innovative outsourcing relationships, and the future of wireless technologies in the region. A particularly important weight will be given to having the right enabling environment, which is absolutely critical to encourage the investment necessary for the formation of ventures and partnerships. Business leaders and governmental representatives will come face to face to achieve a common understanding on how to realize successful ICT in Africa. Investment opportunities in the region and the suitable investment criteria needed to be met to create the right enabling environment will also be addressed.
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