Digital transformation for a sustainable and equitable digital future:
Accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in Africa through digital transformation
The
ITU Regional Development Forum for Africa (RDF-AFR) is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Government of Ethiopia. The Forum will take place from 3 to 5 October 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme “Digital transformation for a sustainable and equitable digital future: Accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in Africa through digital transformation".
The Regional Development Forum for Africa provides an opportunity for the exchange of views between ITU Member States, Sector Members, partners and other stakeholders. RDF-AFR will provide an opportunity for matchmaking regional as well as country specific priorities and partners' pledges as announced since the launch of the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition at the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. The overall aim is to convert pledges into concrete commitments that will result in the implementation of concrete impactful projects in accordance with the priorities adopted and contained in the Kigali Action Plan (KAP) including Regional Initiatives.
RDF-AFR also provides an opportunity for the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) to report on the progress that has been made towards the implementation of the outcomes of the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022 (WTDC-22), including the four Regional Initiatives for Africa.
Call for contributions
The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) through the ITU Regional Office for Africa has launched a call for the submission of contributions on their priorities to be presented during the RDF for consideration by participants and partners. These priorities will be posted on the event website before the event. Meanwhile, the partners are encouraged to submit their commitments against the country and regional priorities which will also be posted on the event website or could be announced at the RDF.
All stakeholders are invited to submit their written contributions to be used as basis for discussions. These may be submitted to: itu-ro-africa@itu.int, using the RDF-AFR contributions template.
All contributions received will be posted on the RDF website.
Sponsorship opportunities
The RDF is open for sponsorship. More information about sponsorship opportunities will be available on the event website. RDFs are open to all stakeholders willing to strengthen cooperation and partnership among telecommunication/ICT policymakers, regulators, industry, academia, regional and international development agencies, and organizations on specific regional telecommunication and ICT matters. Read more about sponsorship for the RDF opportunities here.
Participation and registration
The Forum will be conducted in English and French. To participate, please
register online. If you need support with visa and travel arrangements, please contact itu-ro-africa@itu.int
Partner2Connect at RDF-AFR
A special segment of the RDF will be dedicated to the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition regional roundtables and their matchmaking process. This will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to express their commitments, which could be based on contributions or pledges that they have already made or new pledges aimed at addressing country needs in Africa with the aim of advancing digital development in the region and implementation of the Regional Initiatives.
Register to participate
