In Zimbabwe where he is attending the 6th Transform Africa Summit has observed that Malawians have lagged behind in terms of development due to various factors, among them colonialists who occupied Africa and stole its resources to develop their own countries.
Said Chakwera in his opening address at the summit.
“The development of the continent of Africa has been delayed and derailed throughout history. At one time, it was delayed by our detachment from the rest of the world, which deprived us of new ideas and innovations for economic progress. At other times, it has been delayed by superstitions that resist new inventions and solutions that threaten old ideas. For the longest time, it was also delayed by decades of colonial occupation, as foreign nations from the West scrambled for Africa’s resources and used them to develop their own industries while leaving Africa underdeveloped, the effects of which are still being felt.”
The summit, scheduled for Wednesday, April 26th to Friday the 28th is taking place under the theme; “Connect-Innovate-Transform,” with an aim to promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to drive socio-economic development in Africa.
The conference is also being attended by other heads of State and Government from across Africa, including Paul Kagame of Rwanda, the host President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, and King Mswati of Eswatini among others.
The patronage also includes leaders from the private sector, civil society, and academia. It will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and exhibitions showcasing the latest innovations in digital technology.
The event is organized by the Smart Africa Alliance, a partnership of African governments, private sector players, and international organizations working towards the development of a single digital market in Africa. The summit aims to promote the adoption of digital technologies across the continent and accelerate Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
