Originally published on the European Digital website
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This online event aims to explore how the EU could help its partner countries in Africa to better respond to two main digital challenges: connectivity/affordability of internet and lack of digital skills. The online discussion will also inform decision-makers from the EU, its member states and partner countries on digital development challenges and opportunities ahead of the EU-Africa Summit in 2020. Above all, this event will offer a platform to both Africans and Europeans to share their ideas and views on an eye-level, rather than being a one-sided discussion. As a result of the event, policy recommendations on the EU’s support to digital development in Africa will be presented in a form of a report. The report will be disseminated to EU decision-makers ahead on the EU-Africa Summit.
Speakers: CSO leaders and experts from the EU partner countries (Africa), representatives from the EU institutions Date: 13 October 2020, 2 pm (CEST time)
Format: online event
Programme:
2:00 – 2:10 pm Opening Remarks by European Digital Development Alliance (EDDA) and European Future Forum (EFF)
2:10 – 3:00 pm Topic: How can the EU help to address digital challenges in Africa?
Speakers:
- Eva Kaili, Member of the European Parliament
- Lars Erik Forsberg, European Commission (DG CONNECT)
- Benjamin Tedla Hecker, European Commission (DG DEVCO Investments and Innovative Financing)
- Toto Matshediso, Deputy Director of National Department of Science and Innovation of South Africa
- Onica Makwakwa, African Coordinator at Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), South Africa
- Kelly Idehen, Founder of LearnHub Africa, Nigeria
- Priscilla Chomba, Head of Digital and Technology at ActionAid, Kenya
- Emmanuel Kwizera, Consultant at Challenges Group Rwanda
Moderator: Zuzana Sladkova, Policy Leader Fellow at the European University Institute
3:00 – 3:15 pm Closing remarks (by Anna Melenchuk, Co-Founder of EDDA)
Questions to be discussed:
- How can we ensure connectivity and affordability of broadband connections and technologies for vulnerable groups in African countries?
- What digital skills are necessary to compete in the global economy? How the EU can help to address digital skills’ gap in Africa?
- How the new EU-Africa Strategy can contribute to digital governance and inclusive digital services in African countries?
