ADDIS ABABA – Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil, called on African leaders to enhance cooperation between Africa and Brazil to foster mutual progress and effectively confront global challenges. Addressing the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, he emphasized the shared heritage and potential for collaboration between the two regions.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the link between Brazil and Africa is strengthened by the significant Afro-Brazilian population, which accounts for over 200 million Brazilians. He underscored the importance of jointly crafting a pathway within the evolving international landscape, aiming to establish a novel framework for global governance capable of addressing contemporary issues.
The President critiqued the outdated approach of minimal state intervention, highlighting the necessity for governments worldwide to support agricultural and industrial development actively. He pointed out the importance of governmental role in guiding the digital and energy transitions, areas critical for future development.
Lula da Silva lauded the achievements of the BRICS alliance in facilitating cooperation among emerging economies and stressed the vital role of developing nations in solving global crises, particularly those affecting the impoverished and migrants most severely. He explicitly rejected extreme right-wing solutions to these challenges, advocating instead for inclusive social projects that guarantee prosperity, freedom, democracy, and sovereignty for everyone.
Emphasizing the need for a more representative United Nations Security Council, Lula da Silva called for greater inclusion of African and Latin American countries. He recognized Africa’s vast potential and committed to Brazil’s engagement with the continent to achieve mutual growth. The President outlined Brazil’s dedication to regaining political and economic sovereignty, enhancing participatory democracy, and fighting hunger and poverty, alongside promoting inclusive education.
Furthermore, Lula da Silva expressed Brazil’s eagerness to partner with African nations in key areas such as food production, renewable energy, healthcare, and environmental conservation, with a particular focus on the protection of the Amazon and Congo basins.
To facilitate these ambitions, he proposed the establishment of an advanced cooperation post with the African Union, marking a concrete step towards strengthening ties between Africa and Brazil.
ADDIS ABABA – Frehiwot Tamiru, the Chief Executive Officer of Ethio Telecom, has emphasized the importance of revisiting policies and strategies by African nations to foster a conducive environment for digital transformation across the continent. This call to action was made during a high-level side event organized by Ethiopia at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, focusing on the vital role of digital innovation in achieving inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the event, held at the Adwa Science Museum under the theme “Harnessing Digitization for Africa’s Transformation,” highlighted the urgent need for accelerated digital transformation to secure inclusive and sustainable development across the continent. President Sahle-Work Zewde, in her opening remarks, underscored the significance of digitalization in responding to challenges and offering rapid solutions to problems, pointing out its role in realizing the vision of a prosperous Africa by 2063.
The session brought together stakeholders and leaders from various African countries and financial sectors to discuss the future of digital transformation in Africa. Tamiru argued for policies that are attractive and flexible to encourage innovation and investment, crucial for supporting the digital ecosystem. She advocated for technology inclusiveness to build a sustainable future and highlighted the rapid growth of mobile telephone subscribers in Africa, projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2030.
With Africa being the largest mobile market in terms of registered accounts and transaction volume, Tamiru pointed out the potential to leverage this base to promote trade integration and enhance digital transformation across the continent. She also noted the current presence of approximately 781 million registered mobile money accounts as a foundation for building Africa’s digital economy.
Professor Landry Signé, speaking at the forum, echoed the sentiment on the transformative power of digitalization for Africa. He noted its potential to position Africa as a global leader in economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction, while also improving financial, healthcare, and educational services. Signé emphasized the need for increased investment in primary and secondary education to develop critical thinking, digital, and STEM skills, which are essential for economic development.
The discussions at the event underscored the consensus among leaders and experts on the necessity of policy reform and educational investment to expedite digital transformation in Africa, aligning with Agenda 2063’s goals for a transformed continent.
