THE
international financial institution, World Bank and the African union have said
that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and innovative business
models have in the past helped the widening of financial inclusion.
The two
international bodies, cited Kenya as a case study and made known that active
bank accounts have grown fourfold since 2007, the growth they attribute to 17
million M-Pesa mobile money accounts in the country.
Commenting
on this, Sustainable Development director for Africa region, Jamal Saghir noted
that the internet and mobile phones are agents of transformation and
development on the continent through the injection of new dynamism in key
sectors.
According
to Saghir, the challenge would be to improve on innovations and success stories
for greater social and economic impacts across Africa over the next decade.
“Valuable
and sustainable applications are most likely to develop within an environment
that encourages experimentation,” Saghir disclosed emphasising that there is
need for collaboration between technologists, entrepreneurs and development
practitioners.
A report
by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) with the support of
AU, titled ‘eTransform Africa’ explored the contributions of ICT to
agriculture, climate change adaptation, education and health.
Other
areas in which the report also touched include the continent’s regional trade
and integration, highlighting the need to build a competitive ICT industry to
boost innovation, job creation and the export potential of African companies.
Remmy Nweke/DSBNews
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
No comments:
Post a Comment