IGF 2014 sub theme that this workshop fall under

Internet as an Engine for Growth & Development

Description

For more than a decade, information and communication technologies (ICT) have been attributed a key driver to socio-economic transformation and play a catalytic role in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. They increase efficiency, provide access to new markets or services, create new opportunities for income generation and give poor people a voice. In this regard, several researches revealed the contributions of ICTs, particularly the Internet and mobile, to economic growth in the continent. ECA is currently undertaking a research which is being finalized to explore the contribution of ICTs to recent economic growth of the continent. Recent McKinsey (2013) report estimates that while Africa still constitute 167 million internet users with 16 percent penetration, the contribution of the Internet to GDP amounts to USD $18 billion with a prospect to grow by over16-fold by 2025.

In the context of the themes of IGF2014, particularly in relation to the sub-theme on ‘Internet as engine for growth & development’, the workshop will facilitate a stakeholders analysis workshop on the contribution of the Internet to Africa’s economic growth addressing the following two issues:

- The contribution of the Internet to recent economic growth in Africa
- Trends in internet infrastructure (broadband), innovation and growth

Name(s) and stakeholder and organizational affiliation(s) of institutional co-organizer(s)

Free and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA)

African IGF Secretariat (UNECA)

Has the proposer, or any of the co-organizers, organized an IGF workshop before?

yes

The link to the workshop report

http://www.uneca.org/afigf

Type of session

Group Word

Duration of proposed session

90 minutes

Subject matter #tags that describe the workshop

ICT4D, Internet economy, Digital Economy, Africa Broadband Innovation

Names and affiliations (stakeholder group, organization) of speakers the proposer is planning to invite

A. AfIGF Secretariat Representative Y
B. Ms. Anne Rachel Inne – AfriNic (Technical) , Y
C. Nnenna Nwakanma. Alliance for Affordable Internet – Civil Society, Y
E. Emmanuel Adjovi (OIF), Y
D. Kasirim Nwuke, UNECA, Y

Name of Moderator(s)

Judy OKITE, FOSSFA

Name of Remote Moderator(s)

Mactar Seck, UNECA

Description of how the proposer plan to facilitate discussion amongst speakers, audience members and remote participants

A background paper based on ECA’s research which is currently being undertaken and finalized on the topic ‘The contribution of ICTs to Africa’s recent economic growth performance’ will be circulated to invitees by ECA ahead of the event.

The workshop will be opened with three panel presentations from FOSSFA, UNECA on the two major issues of the workshop to be followed by a discussion and identification of possible recommendations for various stakeholders. The session will run for one and half hours either in the morning or in the afternoon depending on allocation of venue by the organizers. FOSSFA, ECA, AUC and the AfIGF Bureau together with other partners will explore arranging for remote participation by participants around the world who may not be able to physically present during the IGF and attend this workshop.

Description of the proposer's plans for remote participation

There will be live tweeting of the event from the @afrigf handle and participants will be welcome ton contribute either on the official webex platform or on Twitter.

Background paper

No background paper provided