The African Renaissance Monument hosted the launch of the first edition of "This Is Africa Digital" (TIAD) this Wednesday, October 1st. The event aims to bring together policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders to create synergies that can accelerate digital transformation, particularly through investment in digital infrastructure, the promotion of digital culture, and policies and regulations that support innovation and entrepreneurship.

"This Is Africa Digital is an event with three focuses. It consists of a forum (to encourage exchanges) and an exhibition (to stimulate innovation) and networking (to create opportunities)," said TIAD director Fatou Ka.

Speaking to the press, she stated that the TIAD, in a spirit of shared vision and complementary action, with the government, aims to be a benchmark event, essential at the global level to achieve its objectives. "The TIAD, which is part of the 'Senegal Vision 2050' and the objectives of the New Technological Deal, aims to be a benchmark event, an essential event in Africa and in the world," she maintained.

She also stressed that TIAD aims to catalyze digital transformation in Africa, to position the African continent as a major player in technological innovation but also to create a dynamic ecosystem where actors can connect, collaborate and share their knowledge to stimulate the economic, social, inclusive and sustainable development of Africa.

She also called on the private sector and mobile phone players to collaborate in setting up this event.

Taking part in the meeting, the representative of the director of SEN Startup, Serigne Malick Tall affirmed that Sen Startup is a private sector association which brings together businessmen from the technology industry sector.

He said that recent developments have shown that the technology ecosystem needs space for discussion. Therefore, the TIAD is a special, important, and interesting opportunity to discuss issues at the highest level and convey the message, positions, issues, views, and visions of businessmen to public authorities that will help improve the business environment.

"The Renaissance Monument places great importance on digital technology. This is why we have decided to welcome this This Is Africa Digital activity with great interest," explained the representative of the administrator of the African Renaissance Monument.

According to him, this place has put digital technology at the forefront, to contribute, like some departments, to promoting not only Senegal as a destination, Africa through its culture, but also through tourism and crafts.

This first edition of the TIAD, which will be hosted by Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda, will bring together nearly 1,000 participants on November 13 and 14 at the Monument de la Renaissance.