TICAD7 Official Side Event “From Idea to Action: Harnessing the Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Africa Development”

Digital Technologies can play an important role in advancing Africa’s development dramatically. Besides the specific applications, disruptive technologies create an opportunity for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in African countries to leapfrog, and it can also be a shortcut to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the potential of technology to transform the society however, why is take-up and scale-up of technology in Africa still limited? How could Africa and its partners harness disruptive technologies? What are the conditions for social entrepreneurs to get on their feet and prosper? The event addressed these questions by inviting views of both the public and private sector as well as social entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Program

Moderator

Steven Shalita
Manager for Communications, Africa Region, World Bank

[Part I: 14:00-14:50]

“High Level Dialogue among leaders from African and Japanese public and private sector”

Panelists

Paula Ingabire, Minister
ICT and Innovation , Republic of Rwanda

Amani Abou-Zeid
Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission (AUC)　

Fernando Paulo
Executive Officer, General Manager, Ecosystem Services Department and Sustainability Department, Rakuten, Inc.)

Hafez Ghanem
Vice President for Africa Region, World Bank

Ahunna Eziakonwa
UNDP Assistant Administrator/ Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa

Kazuhiko Koshikawa
Executive Senior Vice President, JICA
 

[Part II: 14:50-16:20]

“Discussion among practitioners about the factors for success for the start-ups”

Panelists

Alex Ntale
CEO, Rwanda ICT Chamber

Kohei Muto
CEO/Founder, Double Feather Partenrs

Rebecca Enonchong
Board Chair, AfriLabs

Yoshikazu Takasaki
CEO, Dreming

Masayuki Kurihara
General Manager, Economic Cooperation Team, Regional Coordination & Administration Dept, Marubeni Corporation

Clement Uwajeneza
Country Director Rwanda, Andela

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TICAD7 Official Side Events Organized by World Bank