Ivory Coast: Embracing digital solutions to steer development

A more connected Africa, able to solve development-related problems; this was the theme of of the Africa Web Festival 2016 in Ivory Coast. Launched two years ago in Abidjan, this platform allows innovators to discover trends and innovations in digital technology, and in key areas such as education and health.

For most exhibitors and visitors, a digitized economy is an opportunity to catch up with other African countries where digital innovation is revolutionalizing development.

Digital Affairs Minister Bruno Koné says: “ICTs are making it possible to compensate for the weaknesses of our continent in infrastructure, when we do not have health centers, when universities are congested, as is the case in Ivory Coast, we do not have enough resources to pay teachers etc … It is the right moment to use the available alternative digital solutions.

There’s still much to be done, to ensure that all Africans benefit from new technologies. The infrastructure deficit is a real problem and Africa is faced with difficulties related to connectivity.

But while there are still many challenges ahead, initiatives like this show that the movement towards Africa 3.0 is well on course.