Woherem Explains Choice For 2022 Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition Theme
Why Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition Is Positioning Africa In The Global Race
Organisers of the annual Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition have been explaining why they chose the theme: “Positioning Africa in the global tech race” for the 2022 edition of the Continental technology show.
Recall that the 2022 edition of the Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition, the 10th in the series of the annual technology showpiece, has been scheduled to hold on June 28-30, at the Baze University, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital.
The Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition, widely adjudged as a premier continental technology show, began in 2013 following a discovery by the organisers, of the existence of an unacceptable huge gap between the African continent and the rest of the world with regards to ICT, just like it is when it comes to development, where Africa lags behind other parts of the World.
But in explaining the choice of the theme for this year’s edition, Chairman of Digital Africa, Dr. Evans Woherem said the need for African countries to make technology and innovation a strategic priority in order to face global competition cannot be more appropriate than now especially considering the fact that the continent is in dire need of liberation from the oppressive dominance of globalisation.
“In the last nine years of Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition, we have used this platform to prepare the African Continent for emerging technologies preparatory to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is evolving at an exponential, rather than a linear pace, and is disrupting almost every industry in every country due to its impact on velocity, scope, and systems.
“As an advocate for digital technology, the aim of Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition is to promote the adoption, diffusion, and active development of digital technology in Africa. Developments in the world have shown that in every period of 100 years, a revolution occurs which alters the economic alignment of the world.
“For instance, the first revolution made Great Britain a global super power. The second led to the establishment of the dominance of America as the worlds’ only super power. The third revolution unleashed the wave of globalization that has lifted over a billion people out of poverty in less than 50 years.
“With technology influencing everything from healthcare, education, security and lifestyle to agriculture and food security, amazing revolutionary innovations are constantly being developed in every sphere including mobile devices, wearable technology, entertainment gizmos and so much more. Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition has over these years, been used as a platform for the display and demonstration of these new technologies that are trending across the globe,” Woherem explained.
He stated that Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition was established in the first place to position Africa in the global tech race, explaining why the Conference has over the years, witnessed high level of participation by Startups with high growth potential to unveil their innovations and begin to gain market and mind share.
The Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition has in the last nine years hosted ICT professionals, enthusiasts, policymakers, innovators, teachers and students of ICT from all walks of life, who have consistently drawn Africa’s technology roadmap through well-articulated communiqués.
The conference has over time, received testimonials of the positive impact the Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition has had and is still having in the African continent especially in the area of promotion of technology development in Africa.
Only last year, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami commended the organisers of the annual event for their steadfastness saying, “The consistency with which you have organised this event attests to your commitment towards accelerating the development of Africa’s technology ecosystem.”
For Stephen Ibaraki, Founder, Chair Outreach UN ITU AI for Good Global Summit, “Digital Africa is transforming the continent through top global experts and leaders, leveraging the best in technology and talent. Their conference is one of the most crowded tech events I have attended in Africa.”
Russell Southwood, Chief Executive Officer of Balancing Act, United Kingdom said, “Digital Africa manages to combine speakers who have the vision to talk about what might happen 3-5 years ahead and hard-headed, practical people who are making some of those ideas and technologies a reality right now.”
