This article was produced with the support of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, it is a pleasure to welcome participants to this meeting of the Committee of Experts.
The theme of this year’s conference...
The narrative presents a compelling case for Africa’s technological leapfrogging, emphasizing the continent’s untapped potential in frontier technologies. The strongest version of this argument highlights real-world successes—mobile money systems, agricultural innovations, and critical mineral reserves—as evidence of Africa’s readiness to harness digital transformation. It acknowledges structural challenges, such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory weaknesses, without dismissing the opportunit...
