ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- African ministers in charge of communications and information communications technology have passed new decisions, aiming at accelerating Africa's digital transformation, boosting socioeconomic development, creating jobs and improving the lives of people across the continent.
The decisions were made Tuesday at the conclusion of the 5th Specialized Technical Committee (STC) meeting on Communications and Information Communications Technology (ICT) in Africa.
According to a statement issued by the African Union (AU), the ministers have expressed commitment to promoting the nexus between digitalization, climate change, infrastructure and energy to maximize the benefits of digital solutions.
The ministers also vowed to rally for the adoption of the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa and its Implementation Framework as a flagship project of the AU Agenda 2063 at the AU Summit to be held in 2024.
At the STC, the ministers committed to rallying more actions to support the implementation of continental digital strategies and frameworks adopted by AU policy organs and pursue more ratification of the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection which entered into force in June this year.
The statement noted that the ministers have vowed to develop a national child online safety and empowerment policy in line with the continental policy framework.
They further noted the need to strengthen cooperation between national communications and ICT regulatory authorities in Africa to collectively respond to new challenges from the increased convergence of services. ■