Move from talking to action, Africa urged

struggling to realise those goals as stakeholders were not implementing resolutions reached at various ICT forums.
“There is an urgent need to move from talking to action. We cannot continue having these ICT Indabas and colloquiums without action.
“The private and public sectors should all have defined roles to play to ensure the goals are met. Such partnerships are critical in ensuring Africa leap frogs to that knowledge economy.
“Governments should create a conducive environment which enhances competition. The ICT operators on their part should build capacities and capabilities,” Madzonga said at the sidelines of AfricaCom, the continent’s prime ICT event.
He pointed out that despite its massive potential Africa was lagging behind in the knowledge-based economy stakes.
“Even, South Africa, as a continental ICT leader, was not ranked even in the top 20 in the Knowledge-Based Economy Index for 2012.
“African governments have over the years not been adopting ICT as a key component in realising a knowledge-based economy but placing attention only on such sectors as mining, agriculture and manufacturing, among others.”
Citing South Africa, he said with the proper implementation of ICT regulations and policies, the country would create                    200 000 job by 2020.
“South Africa’s 2020 goals can always be achieved, and surpassed if both the government and ICT companies set their roles very clearly,” he said.
Madzonga said South Africa’s 10 percent broadband penetration was equivalent to 138 percent GDP with equivalent of R60 billion annual economy growth. He said 1 million jobs from ICT by 2020 could be created. — CAJ News.