COVID-19 increases need for more digital transformation investments
The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) held a webinar on 26 May to discuss how to unlock Africa’s digital potential amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Most participants underscored how information and communications technologies (ICTs) have transformed sectors like commerce and health in unconventional ways. They also agreed that the unprecedented change brought about by digital technologies offer significant opportunities for Africa, yet it also presents complex challenges that necessitate new policy responses in many areas. UNECA director of climate change, natural resource management and technology, Jean-Paul Adam accentuated that African countries should address all vulnerabilities that are hampering digital transformation including the high cost of Internet access and issues related to inadequate bandwidth.
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