Ericsson and SMART Africa say they have partnered to develop a more connected and knowledge-driven society in Africa.
Ericsson joins the SMART Africa Alliance as technical advisor and platinum private sector member in supporting the implementation of the SMART Africa initiative and vision, the technology company says.
Established in 2013, SMART Africa is a bold and innovative commitment to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and usage of ICT.
Speaking about the partnership, Fredrik Jejdling, Head of Region, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, said that, “we are honored and excited about working with various African countries to enable an information-rich and knowledge-based society.”
Jejdling adds that “ICT will change cities, countries and industries and ultimately lead to a truly Networked Society in Africa.”
Dr. Hamadoun Touré, Executive Director of Smart Africa Secretariat adds that, “since inception of the Smart Africa Alliance, one of our main principles has centered on the critical need to create an enabling environment for private sector involvement. We realise that economic transformation must be driven by private companies focused on the use of ICT to increase access to markets and information for business.”
According to Touré, “Ericsson has proved to be an outstanding partner to help us drive these goals forward through increasing job creation, productivity and competitiveness supported by their world class technology and unique ability to adapt these solutions for the African continent.”
The SMART Africa Initiative aims at enabling Member States to become more competitive, agile, open and innovative smart economies with the most favorable business climates that attracts large-scale investments, rewards entrepreneurship and enables fast growth and exports, leveraging ICT innovations to transform African nations into smart societies.
SMART Africa is commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).
The SMART Africa Manifesto gears towards putting ICT at the centre of national socio-economic development agenda of member countries and improve access to ICT especially Broadband. Others include to improve accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT promoting the introduction of advanced technologies in telecommunication; to put Private Sector first and to leverage ICT to promote sustainable development.
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