Egypt is embarking a “comprehensive digital transformation strategy” that focuses on three main pillars including developing infrastructure, creating the right “conducive” business environment, and investing in human capital, Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, said Friday. Nasr added during her participation at “All Africa digital economy moonshot” session on Digital Africa at IMF/World Bank annual spring meetings in Washington that Egypt is moving forward towards creating smart cities and communities to promote more innovative technologies and digital transformation. The session was attended by Amani Abou-Zeid ,Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission, Lanre Kolade CEO of CSquared, Kristalina Georgieva, the Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank and Makhtar Diop the Vice President, Infrastructure, World Bank. “We are looking at connectivity and transportation to promote more investment and trade. Digitization will allow more breakthroughs in different sectors to help a lagging region”, the minister added during the session. On other hand, Nasr also commented that Egypt is strongly focusing on digital entrepreneurship & supporting women, Nasr added. Moreover, to achieve the digital economy in African continent, number of measures must be taken into consideration: increasing Internet connectivity, reducing service prices, investing in skills, establishing platforms that make service easier and more efficient, expand digital financial services and create a digital ecosystem, Makhtar Diop the Vice President, Infrastructure, World Bank. “All young people need is opportunity – access. We must empower young people to do greater things and change the dynamic of our beautiful continent”, Lanre Kolade CEO of CSquared said. He added that “You need patient capital to make ICT and infrastructure, like fiber cables, a reality in Africa. It takes time, but laying the foundation now will help future generations” Kristalina Georgieva, the Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank said. “We are fully committed to work with all our partners to accelerate Africa's digital connectivity, digital ID, digital government & digital commerce” Digital innovation is creating unprecedented opportunities for Africa to grow its economy, create jobs, and transform people's lives. With the aim to digitally connect every individual, business and government in Africa by 2030, the African Union, with the support of the World Bank Group, has embarked on an ambitious journey—a "moonshot" that will help countries accelerate progress, bring high-speed connectivity to all, and lay the foundations for a vibrant digital economy.
