The increasing success registered by African countries in the area of telecommunication has received no less recognition from the expert community. This has in fact been the focus at the just concluded annual telecommunication conference, held in Cairo, Egypt.

With the participation of member states of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the official organizers, the conference seeks to address core issues concerning telecommunications. Participants are middle level mangers who work in the fields of policy regulation, planning or operations in their various countries’ telecommunication authorities.

It seeks to help them to expand their knowledge of the industry and discuss issues and share advice with their peers. Also at the conference are major policy makers and youth representatives. The Gambia’s own Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, Madam Fatim Badjie, was present at this year’s conference.


Every year, through support from the UNDP, two young people, preferably of universities, represent their countries. From the Gambia, we had two young personalities in the persons of Momodou Jatta and Adama Sillah, both of them from the department of Economics and Management, University of the Gambia.

The conference which lasted from May 12 to 15, 2008, had two major themes: BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE; and CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

This Cairo conference sought to capitalize on previous ITU successes in Africa, and focuses on efforts to nurture initiatives to bridge the digital divide and to help forge a ‘win-win partnership’ between government and private industries, as well as to underpin Africa’s continued growth.

According to reports, the soaring levels of mobile penetration, coupled with increasing levels of demand for technologies such as voice over internet protocol (volp) and satellite access technologies, among others, the Africa region is quickly evolving as one of the sector’s key investment prospects. Tangible records show that Africa represents one of the sector’s best investment opportunities. This, according to experts, made it a "continent on the move."

According to Dr Hamadoun I. Toure, the Secretary-General of ITU, market liberalization continues to prevail with most countries having established regulatory bodies to ensure a fair, competitive and enabling environment. He pointed at the mobile boom in recent years as proof that there was genuine continent-wide demand for basic access and that the number of information communication technology (ICT) users continues to multiply at a rapid pace.

"It is not only the basic service that is flourishing; advanced technologies such as 3G mobiles services, Volp, WiMAX and the Next-generation networks are being embraced with equal fervor."

But there are as much challenges as opportunities ahead for this dynamic region: from how to reach rural and underserved communities effectively, to how to guard against increasing cyber crime. The hope is how to discover ways of capitalizing on these opportunities to resolve these challenges.

Dr Ahmed Nazif, the Prime Minister of Arab Republic of Egypt, maintained that since four (4) years ago, the information communication technology (ICT) sector has surpassed expectations in growth, innovation, business practices and contribution to development. He reiterated that Egypt have an ICT sector that enjoys sustained double-digit growth, exceeding 20 percent annually.

A solid infrastructure and a qualified human resource base have been enhanced by ICT reform, deregulation and public-private partnerships. This is how, according to Dr Nazif, the ICT sector had been able to attract their foreign direct investment and contributed significantly to their national treasury. Public-private partnerships, he went on, have witnessed repeated success in harnessing ICT for innovation, creativity, development and growth. He stressed that with a combined effort with the private sector and civil society development partners, government can maximize ICT benefits for their citizens.

The conference was also characterized by telecommunication development symposium, youth forum, youth alumni forum showcase, and exhibitions, etc. It was graced by the first Lady of Egypt, Her Excellency Madam Mubarak; and several dignitaries from all over the world.