By Lungile Siziba
President Mnangagwa has officially opened the Sixth Edition of the Transform Africa Summit in Victoria Falls today, where he called on the African continent to embrace science, technology and innovation to accelerate its industrialisation.
The summit brought a number of Heads of State and Government into Zimbabwe’s resort town of Victoria Falls.
The leaders included President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi and His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini, among others.
President Kagame is Chairperson of the
Smart Africa Board.
In his remarks, President Mnangagwa praised the organisers of the key summit for affording Zimbabwe an opportunity to host it.
The President said the modernisation and industrialisation of the African continent “urgently requires the adoption of science, technology and innovation”.
“The theme of this summit: Innovate-Connect-Transform, provides an apt synopsis of three critical elements, for Africa’s successful adaptation to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he said.
“Partnerships are essential for Africa to leap forward and build capabilities in science and technology. Equally, we must seamlessly integrate the frontier of science and technology with the unique needs and strategic socio-economic development goals of the continent and our
respective nations.
“The numerous innovations and start-ups by our talented youthful population require the support not only of our governments but also, from
global capital. It is, therefore, pleasing that this summit
has a broad array of participants from both the public and private sector, extending beyond the African continent.”
President Mnangagwa said collectively, Africa should leverage on the noble Transform Africa initiative to accelerate the achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063, ICT aspirations and the Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no one
and no place behind.
Other high profile officials who attended the official opening of the Transform Africa Summit include Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitilisation; Mrs Doreen Bogdad-Martin, the Secretary General of
the International Telecommunication Union; and Mr Wamkele Mene, the Secretary General of the
African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Transform Africa Summit runs from today up to Friday.
