Today, various sectors are harnessing the power of connectivity to transform & extend boundaries of service delivery. E.g. Financial services have evolved to include mobile money & mobile banking services. We are talking e-Health telemedicine, e-Iearning and so on #CEOSummit18
The opportunities for trade afforded by e-commerce are immense. The digital revolution continues to present opportunities. The world is talking about smart cities, e-health, digital entrepreneurship, digital skills, e-waste management & e-agriculture among others. #CEOSummit18
The rapid change in technology, which we are witnessing today, has been described by Professor Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) , as the early stages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. #CEOSummit18
According to Professor Schwab, this revolution is transforming the way human, physical, digital and biological components of society interact with emerging and digital technologies. #CEOSummit18
The next generation of communication & entertainment is also being transformed by virtual reality (VR). VR promises to reduce, if not eliminate the need for physical travel. As such, the tourism & hospitality industry thus needs to embrace these developments. #CEOSummit18
The developments in VR has further created immense opportunities for the entertainment industry as well as the education industry. This will provide a great opportunity for digital content developers. #CEOSummit18
The more perspective of you will realize that world over; the Internet of Things is already enabling greater tracking of physical products, logistics systems, and energy grids. It is also allowing the access to and exchange of information remotely via the cloud. #CEOSummit18
Now block chain and other distributed ledger technologies are aiding transparency by creating and securing an immutable record to verify financial services transactions, while supporting alternative digital currencies such as Bitcoin. #CEOSummit18
Despite all the opportunities before us today, as a country, we risk missing the opportunities afforded by technology if we do not address the existing challenges/bottlenecks to technology adoption. #CEOSummit18
Current policy development and business processes seem very traditional and linear. Yet the technology space is highly competitive and dynamic. Technology companies require quick and flexible business procedures and requirements to be able to thrive. #CEOSummit18
As a country we need to address the current low levels of technological adoption. We need to tackle the low levels of awareness and digital literacy, which has made us late adopters of technology in most cases. #CEOSummit18
We also need to seriously to boost and support innovation and the digitization of local content. This should boost the level of development especially in e-services including e-government. #CEOSummit18
So, how do we ready ourselves to embrace the technology change? The emerging technologies leverage on the power of connectivity. In order to harness the benefits of emerging technologies, deliberate efforts need to be made towards addressing identified challenges. #CEOSummit18
Critically, we must address the digital divide n the country. This calls for increased connectivity, especially to the underserved & unserved areas. Currently 3G coverage stands at 79% of the population, while 4G coverage is at 25%. The MNOs need to be supported #CEOSummit18
We also need to begin exploring opportunities for deployment of the more advanced 5G. In order to achieve this, both government and the private sector need to invest in network expansion as well as innovative infrastructure deployment mechanisms and models. #CEOSummit18
We also need to promote efficient utilization of radio spectrum to promote the development of emerging services through exploring innovative ways of utilizing spectrum. #CEOSummit18
As we extend connectivity, there is also urgent need to further stimulate demand through interventions to ensure that communications services and devices are affordable. #CEOSummit18
At policy, we need to create favorable & progressive tax regime that encourages investment and consumption of communications devices. For emphasis, we have to increase digital literacy among the consumers and promote the development and packaging of local content. #CEOSummit18
We also need to harness the power of collaboration with other sectors and agencies so as to leverage on the synergies that exist. Initiatives geared towards collaborations in deployment and protection of infrastructure will further reduce associated costs. #CEOSummit18
While the global digital economy is dynamic and growing at a fast rate. We need to look at the digital market as a regional block as opposed to a single
country like Uganda. East Africa is home to 146 Million consumers hence an attractive market for investment. #CEOSummit18
country like Uganda. East Africa is home to 146 Million consumers hence an attractive market for investment. #CEOSummit18
The need for a harmonised policy and regulatory framework as well as coordinated initiatives across the region will facilitate the adoption of emerging technologies. We need to leverage successes like
the One Network Area, which has facilitated intra- regional trade. #CEOSummit18
the One Network Area, which has facilitated intra- regional trade. #CEOSummit18
Supporting innovation should be directed to the quest to develop a digital economy. As online connectivity increases, coupled with proliferation of smart phones, demand for digital content & services is increasing, & giving birth to the applications or Apps economy. #CEOSummit18
The local application economy provides opportunity for the ICT sector to facilitate business transformation, generate economic value, provide employment & address emerging socioeconomic issues. We can position ourselves as exporters of digital services to the region & the world.
Therefore, we need to create an environment where innovation & development of applications is encouraged. Barriers to entry should be reduced or eliminated. MNOs should open up their platforms to allow testing and development of indigenous solutions and applications. #CEOSummit18
Of course there is need to respect healthy competition including respect for intellectual property rights. The app economy provides mutual benefit for all parties involved including app developers, MNOs, Consumers, governments and other stakeholders. #CEOSummit18
Uganda already has a technology neutral licensing regime that encourages innovation & adoption of most efficient technological approach. This has yielded a variety of services that we currently enjoy. But gov't policy development process need to be more flexible, agile & dynamic
However, technology developments are outpacing the policy and regulatory development process. Therefore, government needs to review its processes to enable the country benefit from the technological advancements and position Uganda as a leader in technology adoption. #CEOSummit18
It is important to note that the production and use of increasingly advanced technologies demand new, higher-level skills. However, the current education system does not provide for such skills. We need to ensure availability and access to high-quality education and training.
One way of inculcating these skills is to strengthen the industry - academia partnership. Industry players need to collaborate with the academia in informing the curriculum taught. This will enable access to information on the skills requirements for industry. #CEOSummit18
Industry players are also required to provide avenues where learners obtain practical and hands-on training. Uganda needs to further develop a mentorship & internship platform btn industry & academia where students can access the industry for more intense learning. #CEOSummit18
Other aspect that needs mention is the need to adjust investment and financing. We need to develop mechanisms for ensuring availability of capital. We need to develop innovative financial products to support firms developing in the technological era. #CEOSummit18
My parting shot, as a country, we will have to invest in the right policy frameworks, skills, markets, innovation frameworks, and institutional partnerships with deliberate effort by all stakeholders to embrace emerging technologies and address the envisaged risks. #CEOSummit18
