AFICTA - the background

This blog is to track the development of the African Federation of ICT Associations (AFICTA) and is principally for the benefit of its members and their representatives.

National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry associations from across Africa, meeting in the Pilanesberg, North-West Province, South Africa, agreed on 26 September 2004 to establish the African Federation of Information and Communication Technology Associations (AFICTA).

AFICTA is an alliance of African ICT industry associations, committed to the development of information and communication technologies in Africa. Among its objectives are advocacy with African governments and regional organizations, representing African ICT issues in international fora, promoting information and communication technologies into African economies and governments and support for ICT research and development in Africa.

AFICTA is associated with the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), a global grouping of 65 national ICT industry associations. WITSA held meetings of its Public Policy and Steering Committees in South Africa, at which the decision to establish AFICTA was made. This was the first WITSA meeting to be held in Africa in the 28 years of its existence.

A Steering Committee has been set up to prepare a nd implement a budget, structure, constitution and detailed objectives for AFICTA. This Committee consists of representatives of national ICT associations from Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Convenor of the Steering Committee and first Chairman of AFICTA is Adrian Schofield, the President of Information Industry South Africa (IISA). South Africa was selected as the initial host country for AFICTA.