African youth should take advantage of opportunities presented by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to participate meaningfully in the continent’s development, Christian de Faria, the Airtel Africa chief executive, has said.

De Faria said the youth can play an important role that would help transform the continent using ICT, adding that training and provision of enabling ICT infrastructure is key to ensure sustainable growth. 

De Faria said the remaining challenge for players in the telecom sector, including governments, was to find a sustainable, unified vision to support learning. This, he said, could be done by creating platforms such as technology hubs and centres of excellence, as well as driving Internet connectivity through technologies such as 3G and 4G wireless broadband to boost innovation.

Currently, Rwanda has two technology hubs; the government’s k-Lab and Tigo Rwanda’s $1m (about Rwf697m) Think both found in Kacyiru.

"Knowledge is inseparable from the development of human capital and, by investing in high-speed and smart infrastructure networks, we are bringing young adults closer to economic independence,” said De Faria.

Earlier while opening the inaugural New York Forum Africa, Gabonese president, Ali Bongo Ondimba,  called on the international economic community and African stakeholders to increase participation in continent’s current growth, saying the continent has huge potential, wealth of talent and opportunity.