Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||
The 25th Senior Policy Seminar (SPS) of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) began today in Nairobi, Kenya, with calls to encourage continent-wide unity on information technology and communication channels to foster progress.
Almost 1,000 academics, policymakers, and high-level executives from Africa and worldwide will attend the hybrid conference with the theme “Human Capital Development in Africa” at the Seminar.
Addressing during the event, ICT and Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo urged the attendees to consider human capital development in light of the rapidly developing, brave new world of digital technology.
Our deliberation in this seminar must acknowledge that we must answer how Africa will engage its way to navigate and move forward. We must think of how we will fit Africa into the global agenda. We must plan for digital skills for an innovative online economy. Citizens must be able and be made conscious of digital identity that will make them relevant to global spaces. We must always think of digital security; it is crucial,” he said.
The CS observed that, among other new developments in the digital sphere, the world has entered the age of block chains, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things.
Mr. Dan Peters, Adviser, Global Policy & Advocacy BMGF, emphasized the importance of regional integration in achieving more efficient results, and urged African governments to collaborate as a critical component in accelerating Africa’s progress.
“Because of its development, Africa has immense promise in this century.” Governments must invest strategically in order to improve human capital’s health, education, and skills. “I’m delighted we can help AERC and its partners with projects like these,” he said.
The hybrid conference brought together local and international economic and public policymakers, as well as notable researchers presenting research papers on human capital development.
