Israel Bimpe

For the past two decades, the digital market has primarily relied on traditional funding from the private sector. However, certain sectors and areas have not been able to attract enough financing, making it imperative to develop innovative financing models that address the unique needs of the ecosystem. Given that bridging the digital divide by 2030 is estimated to require over $100 billion, implementing these innovative models is crucial to ensure that all stakeholders can participate in the digitalization efforts across the continent. This session will be a Storytelling on Smart Africa projects that have reached maturity.

Technological advancements have entirely reshaped the organizations but also changing the nature of work. Innovation will continue to accelerate and creating opportunities, paving the way for new and altered jobs, increasing productivity, and improving the delivery of public services. With the COVID-19 pandemic that projected loss of over 200million jobs across the world, and this estimated a total of 38 million jobs lost in the eastern African region only. This shows that in order to earn and thrive in a post-COVID world requires immediate attention and re-skill and up-skill our youth, citizens and decision makers. Digital skills development is more than ever at the heart of Africa’s current and future socio-economic development in Africa in order to leapfrog the benefits of digital transformation. In addition to being the second most populous continent in the world after Asia, Africa has also the youngest population, with more than 1.3 billion people. This panel will discuss the future of workplace, policies that are needed