The internet has opened up the world – in fact, nowadays it has become an essential tool for everyone. But the African continent is yet to catch up.
2022 saw the Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI) and the GSMA form a partnership to bring together the Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit and the Mobile World Congress Africa (MWC Africa).
Being a first for Africa and the global Shared Value community, this union gathers major players across sectors to explore and evolve innovation, technology, inclusion, opportunities – and find solutions for the connectivity challenges that Africa faces.
The collaboration also creates the ideal chance to connect, network, explore partnerships and engage with clients.
Both events take place simultaneously and feature programmes that examine where the future of connectivity is heading. They also explore how the Shared Value mindset can advance economic growth and people-centric sustainability.
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Creating Shared Value
Creating shared value entails embedding a purpose and social mission in the corporate culture and channeling resources to the development of innovations and collaboration that can profitably address social and environmental problems. When companies start thinking beyond narrow shareholder value to the creation of impact, they become potent drivers of development, social progress, inclusion, and sustainability. To succeed, it’s essential to re-envision the shared value framework and create viable and robust business, societal and environmental value, using technology as the enabler. How can digital connectivity and the creation of shared value to accelerate Africa’s growth? -
Climate Justice
Climate justice recognises the disproportionate impact of climate change on low-income communities, the people, and places least responsible for the problem. It seeks solutions to address the root causes of climate change and in doing so, address a broad range of social, racial, and environmental injustices. It is vital that business helps deliver a just transition that includes creating shared value – a shift to a green, low-carbon economy that does not leave millions of workers and their communities behind – and ensure climate justice across their business operations, supply chains, philanthropic activities, and engagement in policy dialogues. *How do we harness the power of shared value and digital technology, as we transition to a more climate friendly and just society on the Africa continent?* -
Digital Inclusion for all
The digital divide is perpetuating inequalities that already divide countries and communities. COVID-19 has highlighted how critical digital connectivity is to governments, businesses, and society, and has brought a newfound sense of urgency to the digital inclusion agenda. While the crisis has enabled hundreds of millions to participate online, it has also exacerbated the digital divide. Of the estimated 37% or 2.9 billion people currently unconnected, the majority are women and girls. *To close these digital gaps, but also the gender digital divide, how do we use technology to create shared value and deliver much needed solutions?*
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Digital Infrastructure
Sub-Saharan Africa's internet access is growing, and Africa’s youthful population and rapid urbanization are both strong drivers of demand. While digital infrastructure investments and infrastructure sharing initiatives in the last year is encouraging, Sub-Saharan Africa needs more decisive and swift action from all industry stakeholders to bridge the digital divide. Africa’s digital infrastructure challenge is not a new one and is the most significant barrier on the continent, including but not limited to broadband service quality, affordability (both of service and handsets), the policy, regulatory and fiscal environment, and the status of digital skills. Given the historic infrastructural deficit in the developing world, what kind of collaboration and innovation is required to bridge the digital divide and foster collective impact and growth? -
Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) – characterised by re fusion of the digital, biological, and physical worlds, as well as the growing utilisation of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics, 3D printing, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced wireless technologies, among others – has ushered in a new era of economic disruption. One with uncertain economic consequences for Africa, but one that also represents a unique opportunity to drive large-scale transformation and competitiveness. Africa has been left behind during the past industrial revolutions. Will it be different this time? -
Digital Transformation
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), with 53 participating members, has the potential to become the largest free trade area in the world. The deal, which came into effect on 1 January 2010, aims to bring 30 million people out of poverty, raise the incomes of 68 million individuals, cut red tape, and simplify customs and tariffs. To achieve these goals, political will and buy-in across the continent is required. Uptake and implementation remain patchy and the administrative burden of border and customs clearance at borders and ports is a leading impediment. What role can shared value thinking combined with digital innovation deliver to accelerate intra-African Trade?
The sixth annual Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit was hosted by The Shared Value Africa Initiative and Shift Impact Africa in Kigali, Rwanda between 25 – 26 October, 2022.
Here, business leaders from across the African continent gathered to explore how shared value thinking can find solutions that address Africa’s technology challenges.
Discover how Africa has the potential to leap into a digital future and advance its economic recovery and growth by providing access for all.
