TheNewsGuru

Tag: SDGs

  • SDGs: Buhari reiterates commitment to reducing poverty, hunger

    President Muhammadu Buhari says reducing extreme poverty and hunger is one of the cardinal objectives of his administration.

    The president stated this in a keynote address at the Nigeria high level side event on ‘SDG Integration – Bridging the Policy Planning – Budgeting Gap for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.’

    In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Tuesday, Buhari reiterated Nigeria’s developmental priorities.

    The side event was held on the margins of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA74) on Tuesday in New York.

    The president said: “It is for this reason that in May this year, we committed ourselves to lifting approximately 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a 10-year period.

    “This is a national development priority and in line with the aspirations of the SDGs.

    “We have since established an ambitious National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) targeting the poor and vulnerable members of the Nigerian population.”

    According to the president, through NSIP the administration is tackling and addressing the root causes of poverty in all its manifestations.

    ““For example, the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF) component is feeding almost 10 million school pupils daily and empowering over 90, 000 local catering staff across the country,’’ he said.

    Buhari also spoke on the need to overcome ad hoc planning for the SDGs.

    He explained that it was government’s genuine desire for scientific planning and implementation of the SDGs that made Nigeria to commence the process of domestication and customisation of the Integrated Sustainable Development Goals Model in 2017.

    “The Nigeria iSDG Model, the report of which we will officially launch today, will serve as a framework for robust, fact-based policy analysis, planning and implementation at all levels of government.

    ““It is expected to be used as a planning tool to complement existing ones currently in use at the national, sectoral and sub-national levels,’’ the president said.

  • Delta wants FG to pay N600m counterpart fund for SDGs Implementation

    Delta Government has called on Federal Government to pay its counterpart fund for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Delta.

    Dr Andy Ilabore, the Senior Special Adviser to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), made the call in Asaba at the 2019 budget defence meeting with the State Assembly Committee on Special Duties.

    Ilabore told the House Committee the of N600 million was meant to enhance the implementation of SDGs in the state.

    He said that the state released its share of N600 million counterparts funding for the Conditional Grant Scheme amounting to N1.2 billion.

    Ilabore said that his office achieved 50 per cent of the year target and recommended that both the State and the Federal Government should take critical steps to actualise the 2019 counterpart funding.

    Also, the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Ernest Ogwezzy, in his presentation said that the Bureau achieved 49 per cent of the 2018 budget implementation.

    Similarly, Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Dr Duke Okezie, who also presented his scorecard, stated that the directorate recorded 9.67 per cent performance for recurrent expenditure.

    According to him, four per cent budget performance has also been recorded for capital expenditure in the 2018 budget by the directorate.

    Responding, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Mr Emeka Nwaobi, said that the budget defence meeting was for the State Assembly to scrutinise proposed budget of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    The governor’s aide said the action of the committee was in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

     

  • PP-18: William Ijeh charges ITU must remain at cutting edge of tech development [Q/A]

    As International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) member states elect the Union’s top executives at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, TheNewsGuru (TNG) brings you this special interview with William Ijeh.
    Ijeh is a Nigerian candidate for the post of Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau as the Union elects ITU’s management team in event that will hold in in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 29 October to 16 November.
    In this interview with ITU News, Ijeh highlights how the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau will function under his leadership.
    How should ITU evolve to maintain relevance in today’s world?
    As the United Nations specialized agency responsible for information and communication technologies (ICTs), ITU must remain at the cutting edge of technology development, thereby maintaining its ability to provide the required support to its members and ICT stakeholders.
    By so doing, ITU will reinforce its leading role in promoting technologies around the world while maintaining its core fundamental values of neutrality, transparency and fairness to all.
    ITU should continue to provide suitable platforms for discussions on all ICT topics, bringing together both developed and developing countries as well as other ICT stakeholders, in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
    The United Nations has given ITU the important role of coordinating telecommunication operations and services throughout the world. The three ITU Bureaux must work as a team to ensure the rational use of the radio-frequency spectrum, the speedy development of standards, and the timely provision of assistance to developing countries.
    ITU must implement gender mainstreaming in all aspects of its activities including recruitment and project management.
    Today, ICTs have provided an incredible integrated platform for everyone. However, half of the world’s population is still not connected to the Internet. The digital gap still remains, and ITU will need to continue efforts to address this significant challenge. ICTs are critical for socio-economic development, and those countries which do not have adequate access to ICTs will be at a distinct disadvantage. ITU must be prepared to take up this challenge.
    ICTs will play critical in the implementation of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. Therefore, as a core partner in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ITU must promote ICTs globally as a catalyst for its successful implementation by ensuring: global broadband connectivity; affordable rates; reduction of the digital gap; promotion of the use of ICTs for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in developing economies; that adequate spectrum is available for ICTs; and gender inclusion.
    What are your top three priorities and how do you plan to achieve them?
    My three top priorities are:
    To ensure effective and efficient management of financial and human resources within the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). This will entail implementing sound fiscal management policies, which will ensure that BDT resources are managed with emphasis on field activities.
    To promote universal broadband access at affordable prices. This will require several actions including the elaboration of suitable policies for ITU members, the promotion of enabling regulatory policies, and working with development partners to secure funding for ICT projects.
    To establish public-private partnerships for development. This involves strengthening cooperation with the ITU membership, engaging with the public and private sectors, international and regional organizations, multilateral financial institutions and special ICT investment institutions, and civil society in a concerted effort to bring ICTs within the reach of every citizen.
    What do you see as ITU’s unique role in accelerating progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals?
    ITU should contribute to shaping the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring that ICTs are integrated into the implementation process. The achievement of many of the SDGs will be positively affected through the use of ICTs. Therefore, ITU should increase efforts with the UN and other stakeholders in promoting the role of ICTs for the implementation of the SDGs, as well as develop partnerships with international and regional agencies for their successful implementation.
    ITU should place emphasis on global connectivity and affordable access to ICTs, especially for economies with special needs, Least-Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and Landlocked-Developing Countries. I believe that the achievement of many of the SDGs will be facilitated by the use of ICTs, where ITU is expected to play a critical role in ensuring that ICTs are integrated, fully, whenever possible, in the implementation process.
    What has been your most important leadership achievement?
    Perhaps my most significant leadership achievement was the organization of a Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Group of Fifteen in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1996. The summit was a South-South event where a development agenda for mutual cooperation was established for the group and I led the organizing team.
    How have you built consensus amongst diverse stakeholders?
    My strategy for building consensus among stakeholders involved listening to the parties, assessing their different views, analysing their respective positions and approaching the issue(s) from a neutral viewpoint. Based on a good understanding of the situation and development of trust, dialogue was established with the parties. All conclusions were undertaken in a fair-minded approach by ensuring, as far as possible, a win-win situation and satisfactory results for all.
    What else would you like to add?
    ITU is the oldest UN agency and it has been at the forefront of many technological developments in the area of ICTs. The organization has remained true to its mandate and it must remain at the forefront of ICT development, always taking into consideration the provisions of the ITU’s Constitution and Convention.
    The organization should continue to serve the entire global population, ensuring that broadband connectivity is made available to everyone. In this regard, the three ITU Bureaux must continue to work together for the good of ITU’s members.
    Regarding BDT, there should be greater emphasis on its activities at the regional level. Therefore, BDT representatives in the field must be seen as ITU representatives and should be equipped to cater for the needs of the different regions.
    Enhanced regional presence will help to strengthen ITU’s activities and its relations with Member States and all ICT stakeholders, and deliver meaningful services globally.
    I support North-South and South-South initiatives, and I believe that this will facilitate knowledge sharing and the transfer of technologies.
    As an ITU staff member, I fully recognize the competencies and skills of staff, and I place great value in them as the principal assets of the Union. I would like to extend my appreciation to ITU staff, and encourage and reassure them that their values are very well respected.
     

  • ITU to establish 4-year roadmap, elect management team at PP-18

    International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will establish 2020-2023 roadmap at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 (PP-18) to hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 29 October to 16 November.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports ITU Plenipotentiary Conference is the supreme decision-making body of the ITU that convenes representatives of the Union’s 193 member states every 4 years.
    According to a statement by the Union, the 2020-2023 roadmap will include setting ITU’s general policies, adopting a four-year strategic and financial plans, and addressing key issues related to ICTs as requested by ITU members.
    “PP-18 will set out the roadmap for 2020-2023 at a time when information and communication technologies (ICTs) are transforming lives and societies around the globe.
    “PP-18 will take stock of the progress towards achieving the ITU Connect 2020 Agenda, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), whose central promise is to leave no one behind.
    “This will then inform ITU members as they strive to meet ITU’s overarching goal of ‘connecting the unconnected’,” the statement read.
    At PP-18, the 193 ITU member states, including Nigeria, will elect ITU’s management team, comprising of ITU Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Directors 3 Bureaux (radiocommunication, standardization, development), 48 council members and 12 members of the radio regulation board.
    While candidate for post of ITU Secretary-General is Houlin Zhao from China, candidates for post of ITU Deputy Secretary-General are Malcolm Johnson from United Kingdom and Brahima Sanou from Burkina Faso.
    Candidates for the post of Director of the ITU radiocommunication bureau are István Bozsóki from Hungary, Mario Maniewicz from Uruguay and Mindaugas Žilinskas from Lithuania.
    Candidate for the post of Director of the ITU telecommunication standardization bureau is Chaesub Lee from Republic of Korea.
    Candidates for the post of Director of the ITU telecommunication development bureau are Doreen Bogdan-Martin from the United States, William Ijeh from Nigeria, Jean Philémon Kissangou from Republic of the Congo and Cosmas Zavazava from Zimbabwe.
    Others are candidates for the radio regulations board and council member states.
    TNG reports PP‑18 will be preceded by the last meeting of the 2018 session of the ITU Council (the Union’s governing body in the interval between Plenipotentiary Conferences) on Saturday, 27 October 2018.
     

  • FG to create national artificial intelligence ecosystem – Minister

    The Federal Ministry of Communications has restated its commitment to support stakeholders in the ICT to create and strengthen a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem to achieve sustainable development.

    The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said this at a press conference on Thursday, in Abuja.

    The event was to mark the 2018 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, with the theme: “Enabling the Positive Use of Artificial Intelligence for All’’.

    Shittu said that the ministry was committed to focus on the potential of the AI to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, and improve the nation’s economy.

    He said that, “AI is taking centre stage with a lot of impact on peoples’ lives as its potential power is being exploited and developed at an unprecedented speed.

    “With many nations, including Nigeria bank on technology, robotics and artificial intelligence to reshape humanity, we need to encourage our youth and people to be digital literate and become multi-discipline in ICTs.

    “Also market analysts predict that intelligent machines programmed to think and reason like the human mind will revolutionise healthcare in the very near future.

    “Proponents of the transformative power of artificial intelligence usually give two examples: self-driving cars and the delivery of healthcare.”

    The minister emphasised that AI was no longer confined to the laboratories, but could be seen in many instances of human activities.

    “We are accustomed to seeing countless references to intelligent machines and robots in popular culture whether it is in movies, fiction or books.

    “But apart from computers and smartphone technology, nothing is more worthy of praise than our commitment to replicate human behaviours and thought pattern into machine and that is the world of artificial intelligence.

    “As governments increasingly rely on the internet for governance and delivery of social benefits, technology simultaneously holds the promise of transformation and potential for exclusion.’’

    He said that the ministry would engage in crucial conversations with stakeholders to manage and explore the AI regime.

    According to him, Nigeria will seek to bring industry leaders and academic experts to the forefront by identifying priorities and share lessons for sustainable growth.

    “We shall consider and explore pillars like connectivity, digital inclusion, trade, security, innovation and policy.

    “We will also examine challenges and prospects of AI to foster greater interoperability and security.

    “Since government is leveraging the internet for delivery of social services, all lesson must be internalised to make this initiative more inclusive,’’ the minister said.

    NAN reports that ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao in his message to mark ‘s day said every year on May 17, ITU members around the world celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

    “Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is taking center stage with a lot of impact on people’s lives.

    “AI’s potential power is being exploited and developed at an unprecedented speed. AI brings us many opportunities and challenges. AI will greatly change our economy and society,’’ he said.

    According to Zhao, ITU in its role of specialised UN Agency for ICT services and technologies, wishes to work with academia, researchers, industries, administrations and governments, UN Agencies.

    Zhao said the union would also work with other stakeholders and partners to facilitate the AI development, to bring the benefits of AI to all.

    “ITU invites you to join us to celebrate WTISD 2018!’’, he said.

     

  • Expert advice: 4 ways Nigeria can ensure tech boosts development

    Expert advice: 4 ways Nigeria can ensure tech boosts development

    An expert at the London School of Economics and Australian National University has presented four ways governments can ensure technology boosts development, which TheNewsGuru, after strong consideration, is of the opinion that the Nigerian government should adapt to boost development in the country.

    Dr George Barker and a team of other experts, in ICT-centric economic growth, innovation and job-creation, documented current thinking about how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can contribute to realization of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    In a short synopsis published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), George asserts that government policy affecting ICTs can have a major effect on achieving the SDGs, and that there are four key areas where governments need to establish legal, regulatory, budgetary, and policy frameworks to ensure that ICTs make an optimal contribution to sustainable development.

    1. Measure and monitor progress

    The first area relates to outcome measurement, policy review and target setting. Four of the SDGs are outcome-related, and highlight important drivers of the well-being of individuals’ over time including: poverty reduction (SDG 1), gender balance (SDG 5), inequality reduction (SDG 10) and economic growth (SDG 8).

    Governments need to accurately measure progress achieved against these outcome SDGs over time, better investigate the causes for this progress, set targets for improvement, and monitor the effectiveness of policy. ICTs and so-called “big data” have a major role to play in this.

    2. Use ICTs to enhance government performance

    The second broad area relates to the organization of Government itself. ICTs can play a central role within Government itself in particular to ensure two of the most critical or foundational SDGs are achieved, namely: “peace, and justice for all” (SDG 16), as well as peaceful and mutually productive “global partnerships” (SDG 17).

    E-government is the term given to the use of ICTs in facilitating better government performance. Governments need to embrace innovation and utilize ICTs to deliver effective services and engage people in decision-making processes so as to establish lasting foundations for peace and justice for all.

    The 2016 United Nations E-Government Survey highlighted a positive global trend towards higher levels of e-government. ICTs can also help in UN SDG 17 that seeks to “strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”. This is because ICTs are a means for information sharing and communication between countries. A key challenge in this area, however, is ensuring states cooperate to address cyber-security threats including cyber-war.

    3. Adopt enabling policies for ICT markets

    The third broad area relates to government policy directly affecting ICT markets. There are two broad subsets of related ICT markets here: i) ICT infrastructure markets, and ii) ICT applications and content markets. Together these ICT markets can make a significant contribution to two key SDGs: SDG 9 which aims to “build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”; and SDG 12 which aims to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”.

    On the role of Government in ICT infrastructure markets, attention focuses on the scope for considerable improvements in relation to state ownership of key telecommunications network assets, and in the extent and quality of spectrum licensing, competition law, access regulation and universal service obligations (USO). In ICT applications and content markets the focus is on the government’s role in intellectual-property rights (IPR), privacy law, and platform regulation generally.

    For example, governments who own the state telecommunications network need to provide credible commitments to convince potential domestic or foreign ICT-market entrants that neither government policy nor the regulatory environment will expose them to excessive regulatory risk or uncertainty. At the same time, governments should avoid abusing its control of assets.

    4. Adopt enabling policies for non-ICT markets

    The fourth and last broad area is Government policy in relation to non-ICT markets that nevertheless indirectly affect ICT adoption, investment and utilization.

    There are three main categories of relevant non-ICT markets highlighted by the remaining UN’s SDGs, where Government policies currently impose barriers to securing a greater ICT contribution to sustainable development:

    1. Markets that meet basic needs, including markets for: food (SDG 2), water (SDG 6), energy (SDG 7) and the services of cities and settlements (SDG 11).
    2. Markets for human services: including health (SDG 3) and education (SDG 4);
    3. Markets for environmental goods and services that are currently either missing, or need to be significantly improved: including climate (SDG13), oceans and seas (SDG 14) and terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15)

    Government policy on these non-ICT markets are having major and largely unforeseen effects in limiting the benefits of ICT. In non-ICT markets policies designed for the pre-Internet era appear to be preventing the development of smart agriculture and smart food markets, smart water markets, smart energy markets, smart cities, smart transport, smart health, smart education and smart manufacturing markets–which are both more efficient and environmentally friendly.

    For this reason, governments urgently need to review and adapt their existing policies on non-ICT markets to ensure that they better suit the Internet era, thereby enabling cutting-edge ICTs to play their role in sustainable development.

     

  • Science, technology drivers to sustainable development – IT expert

    Mr Saheed Balogun, Chief Executive Officer, Kara.com.ng Ltd. on Tuesday said science and technology had direct and indirect impact on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as outlined by the United Nations.

    Balogun made this known in Lagos during the Science Association of Nigeria (SAN) 52nd annual conference tagged: “Science and Technology in an Emerging Smart City and Sustainable Development”.

    According to him, good health, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy and all the items in SDGs are pronounced in their relationship with science and technology.

    He said the effect of technology in achieving sustainable development on good health and wellbeing had to do with access to information about patients’ medical records and history.

    Balogun said a wearable device could report the blood pressure and pulse of a patient on admission or at home.

    “There is a smart ambulance that allows the nearest free ambulance to be available at accident spots and emergencies.

    “Monitoring of water sources, tanks, ground water, rivers and treatment plants allows for quick detection of pollutant via sensors.

    “Test can also be as basic as pit level reported electronically.”

    The CEO said by 2030 there should be access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport system to all, notably by expanding public transport.

    The expert said the roadmap of emerging smart cities was to develop the interest across all fields of science and humanity and view it as better way to solve problems.

    He emphasised the need to engage youths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and established the concept of big data sciences as basis for information in all degree courses.

    He, however, advised that there should be a collaborative effort among all the stakeholders and adequate funding to achieve the sustainable development and smart city.

     

  • Delta Assembly approves N600 million loan for Gov. Okowa

    Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the request of the State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a N600 million term loan facility from Fidelity Bank Plc.

    This, according to the governor’s aide who made this known, is to enable the State government meet its 50% counterpart contribution required to access the 2017 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) counterpart fund from the federal government.

    The request letter from the governor was read by Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori Tuesday’s plenary, and was approved after a debate of it by lawmakers.

    Earlier, Okowa has interfaced with the people of Warri North and South council areas in continuation of his town hall meeting programme designed to help his government’s planning process especially in area of budgeting.

    Addressing issues raised by various communities, Governor Okowa at the town hall meetings in Warri and Koko said his government is collaborating with relevant authorities to facilitate the dredging of Warri and Koko ports.

    While in Warri south, the attention of Governor Okowa was drawn to the abandoned Ugborodo new town housing unit, abandoned water project started by the Ibori administration, inadequate funding for DESOPADEC and the construction of network of bridges linking communities to Warri.

    The governor promised to give attention to the projects.

    In Warri North, the people asked for the completion of abandoned Koko stadium, rehabilitation and upgrade of Koko hospital, the understaffing problem of Iwere college, and the absence of government project in Egbema community.

    Governor Okowa in his response promised to take care of virtually all the issues raised and investigate the dormancy of Koko Water project, as well as the complaint of mismanagement of sand dredging machine procured by the council area during former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s tenure.

     

  • NIPOST emerges in final selection of World Summit on Information Society award

    The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) has been selected as one of 90 finalists of the annual World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Prizes contest.

    Mr Francklin Alao, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the agency made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to Alao, WSIS is a global initiative recognising innovative projects that use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to better the world.

    He said the finalists known as WSIS champions represent the top 90 projects selected from 492 nominated projects around the world.

    “The project that won NIPOST the finalist place is the NIPOST Address Verification System (NIPOST AVS), which seeks to create a centralised and up-to-date database of physical addresses and details of their occupants.

    “It is aimed at bridging the gap in our national financial inclusion strategy to empower the CBN’s Know Your Customer (KYC) and improve our national security infrastructure while creating hundreds of jobs in a commercial manner.

    “This is one of the new projects created by the organisation to impact on more Nigerians, especially at the rural level and we hope to come out as a winner of one of the 18 prizes at the end of the summit,’’ he said.

    Alao said the WSIS Prizes 2018 edition is the 15th edition and will be held in Geneva, Switzerland on the March 20.

    The general manager said the prestigious award started since 2012.

    “It has been recognising remarkable efforts made by entities and organisations from around the world that focus on accelerating socio-economic progress of the whole world as a community,’’ he said.

    WSIS champions represent all regions of the world and all stakeholders that deploy ICT to implement WSIS Action Lines and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a two-tier United Nations sponsored summit on information, communication and information society.

    It aims to bridge the global digital divide separating rich countries from poor countries by spreading access to the internet in the developing world.

     

  • Mobile subscriptions to surpass 500m by 2020 – Study

    The Global System for Mobile communication Association (GSMA) says more than half a billion people across Sub-Saharan Africa would be subscribed to a mobile service by the end of the decade.

    This is contained in GSMA report titled: “The Mobile Economy: Sub-Saharan Africa, 2017”.

    Mr. Mats Granryd, Director General of GSMA, said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos that the report was authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of the association.

    He said that the number of unique mobile subscribers in Sub-Saharan Africa as at the end of 2016 was 420 million, which accounted for 43 per cent of the population.

    He, however, said that the figure would grow to 535 million, which would be 50 per cent of the population in 2020.

    According to him, the mobile subscription growth would make Sub-Saharan Africa the fastest growing region in the world, over the period.

    “Sub-Saharan Africa mobile ecosystem will grow contribution to regional GDP, jobs, innovation and socio-economic development.

    “Sub-Saharan Africa will be a key engine of subscriber growth for the world’s mobile industry over the next few years.

    “This is as we connect millions of previously unconnected men, women and young people across the continent.

    “Mobile is also offering sustainable solutions that address the lack of access to services such as health, education, electricity, clean water and financial services, which still affect large swathes of the population,’’ he said.

    Granryd said the subscriber growth was expected to be concentrated in large, under penetrated markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania.

    He said that these countries would account for half of the 115 million new subscribers expected in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2020.

    According to him, mobile growth will also focus on currently under-represented segments such as the under-16 age group, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of the population in many countries.

    He said that growth would also focus on women, who were currently 17 per cent less likely to have a mobile phone subscription than their male counterparts.

    Granryd said that the mobile phone was also a vital tool in delivering digital and financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    He said that around 270 million people in the region now access the internet through mobile devices.

    The GSMA Director General said that the number of registered mobile money accounts had reached 280 million.

    According to him, mobile operators and others are also leveraging the ubiquity of mobile networks across the region to deliver services.

    “These services are working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in areas such as energy, water and sanitation, healthcare and education,’’ he added.