-
South Africa launches African Digital Transformation Center in Pretoria
-
The center supports technological innovation, startups and digital skills across Africa
-
Initiative part of ITU network with seven acceleration centers in Africa
South Africa on Friday inaugurated the African Digital Transformation Center (ADTC) in Pretoria, which will create a platform to boost technology innovation, digital skills and startup growth across the continent. The center is hosted at The Innovation Hub, which serves as the innovation agency for the Gauteng province.
The initiative aims to support technology entrepreneurs, strengthen public institutions, and encourage collaboration between governments, universities, and private sector stakeholders. Its broader objective is to help position Africa not only as a consumer of technology, but also as a creator of digital solutions suited to its needs.
“The country's commitment to digital transformation is enshrined in key policy instruments, including the National Digital Economy Masterplan, the Draft National AI Policy Framework, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Initiative and broad alignment with the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030).“The Department of Communications and Digital Technology said.
A strategic partnership with ITU
The project is led by the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The UN agency launches its Acceleration Centers in 2023 to strengthen local capacities, accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship, and improve the competitiveness of economic sectors through digitalization.
Seven of the 18 centers in ITU's Global Acceleration Center network will be located in Africa: South Africa in addition to Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The centers will provide training, mentoring and support programs for startups and small and medium-sized technology enterprises.
When the project was announced in 2023, Cosmas Zavazava, director of ITU's Telecommunications Development Bureau, said the network would enable countries to take deliberate and concrete steps to unlock innovation for sustainable digital transformation.
In addition to supporting entrepreneurs, ADTC also aims to help African governments design public policies that encourage digital innovation.
adoni conrad queenam