From Las Vegas to Lagos, Nigeria

By Dr. Evans Woherem

The 2014 edition of the world flagship Consumer Electronics Show had ended in Las Vegas, the United States of America about two months ago. It was Africa’s biggest and most visible participation in the age-long event.

Digital Africa Global Consult, publishers of Digital Africa Magazine had in July 2013 entered into partnership with Consumer Electronics Association, CEA of the USA. The partnership allows Digital Africa Global Consult to organize a delegation of qualified business professionals from Africa to CEA’s annual trade show- the international CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA from the 7^th-10^th of January, 2014.

CES 2014 conference presented an opportunity for Africa to unveil the best of her innovations, exchange ideas with major players in the industry and witness the trends in end user expectations. This was the first time Africa will actively participate at the CES as exhibitors.  It is the premier CES destination where retailers, venture capitalists, manufacturers and other key attendee groups will find budding entrepreneurs, fledgling start-ups and home grown innovation. All Exhibitors also had the opportunity of attending the super-conferences and listening to the key-note addresses.

On the other hand, Digital Africa Global Consult is a new and innovative company that seeks to

turnaround the ICT sector in Africa and reposition the continent towards attaining the global standard of ICT. The company is founded on the evidence that there is a tremendous need for Africa to move from being a mere bystander or passive participant in the global ICT industry to being a dominant innovator and user of digital technologies. The company’s current products are the annual Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition, the annual Digital Africa Award Series and the Digital Africa Magazine.

It is no longer subjected to debate that the importance of technology as an agent of transformative growth and development of national economies cannot be overemphasized. That is why nations such as China, Japan, India, Brazil and South Korea have joined the league of technologically advanced nations through strategic investments in digital technologies.

Despite the efforts by a few African countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt, to exploit ICTs for social and economic development, Africa as a whole has largely taken a back seat in the on-going technology revolution. In effect, Africa has remained a by-standing, passive consumer of ICT products.

The motivation for the institution of Digital Africa is to move Africa from the position of passive consumers to active producers and innovators of digital technologies. Some of the ways we are doing this is by creating a platform for discussions and knowledge-sharing at the annual Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition; rewarding excellence and creativity through the Digital Africa Awards; and the publication of the monthly Digital Africa Magazine for information dissemination.

The Annual Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition is a 3-Day annual event that Digital Africa Global Consult brings together the Continent’s Information and Technology Sector as well as the major users of ICT hardware, software, solutions and applications. The aim of the conference is to promote a better integrated Africa, using modern ICT tools. It is also an important platform to network, share knowledge on the latest developments in the ICT world, do business and close deals. Departing from the usual gathering of “ICT people talking to ICT people,” Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition targets sectors of the society that are major consumers of ICT.

We are already planning a bigger and better Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition 2014, leveraging on the success of the 2013 edition. The 2014 edition will hold in Lagos on May 20-22, 2014. It will simultaneously hold with the 19^th World Electronics Forum, WEF, the revolutionary gathering of CEOs and Directors of Electronic Industry Associations worldwide. It promises to be a must-attend event as ICT industry leaders from across the globe will be converging in Lagos to cross-pollinate ideas and explore the opportunities for the advancement of ICTs in Africa.

Now that CES 2014 is over, my expectations are that African ICT and indeed international entrepreneurs should build on the success of the Las Vegas event and make the Lagos event a huge success. Exhibitors, innovators, manufacturers and venture capitalists are expected in Lagos to be part of the success story we are going to tell about the 19^th WEF and Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition 2014.

I would therefore, like to invite all of you to take advantage of this special opportunity to participate in this event as we work towards giving Africa a pride of place in the global ICT marketplace especially now that the emphasis is on exploring the opportunities in Africa and investing in helping to bridge the digital divide.

Once more, I welcome you to the 19^th World Electronics Forum (WEF) and Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition 2014 holding on May 20-22 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.