Technology for development in focus as ACT Foundation hosts breakfast dialogue

In the wake of a global pandemic that has disrupted the overall growth and development of the African continent in many areas, there is an urgent need for public discourse on proffering solutions to these multifaceted challenges.

This is the focus of Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation as it hosts the fourth edition of its breakfast dialogue; an annual event that provides a platform for public, private, and social sector leaders to have insightful conversations on global social issues.

The 2020 edition of the breakfast dialogue which is to hold virtually from September 29 to 30, 2020 will focus on the theme: “Tech for Good: Fostering Social Innovation and Digital Investments for Transformative Change”. The dialogue is set to address the challenges occasioned by the pandemic on the socio-economic wellbeing of vulnerable populations in Africa. The first virtual edition of the breakfast dialogue will also seek to explore technology-driven and smarter solutions to tackle the complex issues that have confronted the development of the continent.

According to the foundation’s CEO, Osayi Alile, “While digitised economies have been able to significantly maintain socioeconomic and education systems in spite of social distancing policies, Africa seems to be way behind these developments. We have discovered that although mainstreaming digitalization for innovative growth must be a priority for Africa’s leadership, technology must be combined with a will towards the common good”.

Experts drawn from various sectors of the economy are set to suggest ideas and spark collective action required to bridge Africa’s digital divide, deliver urgent impact, foster innovation, and frame long-term strategies towards more resilient and prosperous communities across Africa. The discussion on digitising Africa is a major highlight of the breakfast dialogue 2020, which ACT Foundation believes that digital technologies supported by infrastructure will help rebuild the continent’s economy and fast-track development.

The two-day event is to be kick-started by a keynote address by Lesley Williams, CEO, Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, Johannesburg, and panel sessions featuring speakers such as Olayinka David-West, academic director, Lagos Business School; Nkemdilim Begho, managing director of Future Software Resources Nigeria Ltd; Bosun Tijani, CEO at Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) and Ukinebo Dare, managing director, Edo State Skills Development Agency (EDOJOBS), among others.

Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation is a grant-making non-profit organisation established in 2016 to support local, national, and regional non-profit organisations working to address challenges and associated vulnerabilities across the African continent.