Page 10 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2023

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

“Building capacity in digital innovation is critical

to closing the digital divide as it empowers
individuals, businesses, and communities to
harness the full potential of technology. Digital

innovation improves access to essential
services, creates jobs, and drives economic
growth. No single stakeholder can alone drive
digital innovation.”

Dr. Cosmas Zavazava
Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

to countries, while the Network will enhance innovation improves access to essential framework will allow ITU membership and
global, regional, and national innovation services, creates jobs, and drives economic partners to engage in experimentation that
capabilities for technology, policy, and growth. No single stakeholder can alone supports the growth of local and regional
flagship initiative development. The Digital drive digital innovation.” He elaborated innovation, empower stakeholders to
Innovation Board will guide the work of on the membership by adding, “Our scale their initiatives, and create a digital
the Alliance, ensure its effectiveness and membership called for a concerted effort environment favorable to investment,
accountability, and facilitate high-level to unlock opportunities in this area at the continuous innovation, and tech-driven
coordination and global advocacy. World Telecommunication Development entrepreneurship. In fulfilling its mandate,
Conference (WTDC-22) that adopted the the Telecommunication Development
ITU acceleration centers will catalyze Kigali Action Plan” Bureau (BDT) is committed to providing
countries' journey towards an innovation- support to the Membership aimed at
driven digital economy through specially He further invited ITU members and closing the digital gap, creating a more
designed initiatives based on the desired partners by saying, “I invite you to join inclusive and equitable digital Future for
strategic objectives. These centers the Innovation and Entrepreneurship all.”
will equip organizations with strategic Alliance for Digital Development. This new
foresight, knowledge, and competencies
to nurture digital innovation, showcase
and scale the potential of a vibrant
technological ecosystem and innovative
SMEs to regional and global markets,
and enhance collaboration between
various stakeholders to amplify the digital
ecosystem impact at the regional or global
level.

According to Dr Cosmas Zavazava, Director,
Telecommunication Development Bureau
International Telecommunication Union,”
Building capacity in digital innovation is
critical to closing the digital divide as it
empowers individuals, businesses, and
communities to harness the full potential
of technology.” He further added, “Digital

10 MARCH-APRIL 2023