ICT INDABA - Africa Tackles the Digital Future

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While memory of 2010 football World Cup is slowly fading away, a South African conference lights the way for the continent’s digital future. In May 2012, WSA Chairman Peter A. Bruck took part in Capetown’s ICT-INDABA Conference 2012, using the opportunity to present South African highlights in digital content.

The event aimed at formulating an African Agenda to promote information and communication technology (ICT) as a primary tool to spur social and economic development throughout the continent. Thus, the conference focused on existing and future technology solutions, while highlighting ICT4development challenges in Africa, such as infrastructure, health, education, and agribusiness.

In his keynote, Peter A. Bruck pointed out how World Summit Award narrows the digital gap by awarding groundbreaking digital content. He also took the opportunity to showcase outstanding South African WSA-mobile nominees, such as MzansiSMS. In 2010, the SMS service was nominated for best content in the category m-Inclusion & Empowerment. According to the product’s homepage, “MzansiSMS changes the poignant dynamic where the poorest in the country are paying the highest rates for SMS messaging and finally provides access to cheaper services for the less privileged“.

To explore this year’s global highlights in m-content, WSA-mobile database will be open for national registration from 166 UN member countries until July 22, 2012. A jury of national eminent experts will select the best mobile solutions in Abu Dhabi in September.

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