Google, Facebook top executives to attend Transform Africa ICT summit

Representatives from some of the world’s largest Information and communications technology companies will this weekend jet into the country ahead of next week’s Transform Africa ICT Summit. Executives from Google, Microsoft, Samsung and Facebook, have all confirmed their participation in the forthcoming ICT Summit.The companies’ representatives will not only attend but also showcase their products in an exhibition at the summit.According to Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the Minister for Youth and ICT, Transform Africa ICT summit presents an opportunity to explore and tap investments in the country.“This summit presents a vast range of investment opportunities to both local and international investors not only in ICTs business but also other sector,” he said.Transform Africa 2013 shall be co-hosted by President Paul Kagame and Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure, Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on Monday, October 28 to 31.Direct impact Nsengimanana, who was addressing the media yesterday, further noted that the summit will have a direct impact on the economy.“We expect over 1,200 delegates including about seven Heads of State who have already confirmed their attendance; this is a great business opportunity for those in the supply chain including hoteliers, tourism industry, food and crafts industry, security, financial services, among others.”Valentine Sendanyoye Rugwabiza, a Cabinet member and the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, called on stakeholders to emphasise the use of ICTs in their business in order to fill the gaps in the country’s investments and export sector. “Rwanda’s ICT industry is the catalyst to its economic and social transformation for those living and investing in the country. It has the capacity to bring us more investors, improve on our agro productivity and make our export industry more competitive.”According to Rugwabiza, the bottle necks within the ICT business present business opportunities for both local and international investors to exploit.The minister said the summit will also focus on how ICTs can be employed successfully in agriculture, education, government service delivery, small medium enterprise, financial inclusion, environment and infrastructure.It’s projected that the rapid deployment of high speed broadband capability in Rwanda will help accelerate development of the country’s ICT sector, create jobs, thus improving socio-economic conditions.Ninety-five per cent broadband penetration is expected to translate into a 10 per cent to 13 per cent boost in the country’s GDP.

National

Google, Facebook top executives to attend Transform Africa ICT summit