Sidumisile Mabena
Nqobile Bhebhe
Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera has been elected Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of ICT (CMICT) for a two-year term at the Smart Africa 8th Meeting of the Council of Ministers.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, was elected Vice Chair.
According to Smart Africa Alliance, Zimbabwe and Côte d’Ivoire were the only candidates for the chairmanship and vice chairmanship positions following a call for applications issued to member states on 1 March 2026.
The high-level meeting brought together representatives from 19 member states, including 13 ministers, to advance Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
Minister Mavetera and Mr Ouattara take over from outgoing chair Léon Juste Ibombo and outgoing vice chair Samuel Nartey George.
In her acceptance remarks, Minister Mavetera expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in her leadership and pledged to deliver meaningful progress.
“I am really grateful for the confidence you have placed in my election as president of the Council of Ministers in charge of ICT from the Smart Africa Alliance. This moment is not only an honour, it is a responsibility to lead with purpose, to collaborate with intention, and to deliver tangible progress for our citizens,” she said.
Her election follows her recent appointment to the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council, a high-level platform established under the Smart Africa initiative to strengthen Africa’s leadership in artificial intelligence governance and innovation.
The CMICT serves as a key consultative organ of the Smart Africa Alliance, bringing together ICT ministers to harmonise legal and regulatory frameworks and accelerate the implementation of regional and continental digital projects.
The Smart Africa Alliance, which comprises 42 member states and over 50 private sector and development partners, is aimed at accelerating socio-economic development through ICTs and establishing a single digital market across the continent.
Online Reporter