Partnership involves events collocation; GITEX Africa (https://GITEXAfrica.com/) is regarded as the largest government and business tech startup event on the continent.

Smart Africa has signed a partnership agreement with GITEX Africa to organize a ministerial training and the Council of African ICT agencies (CAITA). Happening from 31^st May to 2^nd June 2023 in Marrakesh, Morocco, GITEX Africa is regarded as the largest tech and startup event in the continent. Venue provision, inviting participants and visibility are among the deliverables agreed upon.

The Council of African IT Agencies (CAITA) is the latest organ meeting of Smart Africa comprising of IT agencies from Smart Africa member states, established to promote collaboration and cooperation in the field of Information Technology across the African continent. The Council serves as a platform for member states IT agencies to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in IT development and implementation, with the aim of advancing technology in Africa.

“We are pleased to join forces with GITEX Africa to collocate high-level events including our first ever Council of African IT Agencies (CAITA). This is a crucial forum for IT agencies to discuss policy and regulatory issues affecting them and develop solutions together,” said Smart Africa’s Director General Mr. Lacina Koné.  

As part of the partnership, Smart Africa through Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) in collaboration with Thunderbird School of Global Management and Africa Digital Academy are also organizing a Ministerial training on the sidelines of GITEX Africa. The training aims to prepare Africa’s public sector to be the global leaders for the fourth industrial revolution. Titled “innovative governance for the digital age”, the training will focus on four main priorities namely: equity and inclusivity, agile governance, digital transformation and automation of government administration.  

Speaking of the partnership, GITEX Africa organiser, Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International noted: “GITEX Africa prioritises public private sector alliances to build and augment digital capacities and capabilities intra Africa and internationally. The partnership between the inaugural edition of GITEX Africa and Smart Africa in their numerous initiatives is the start of a long-term engagement to empower communities with global knowledge and valuable connections for innovative leadership.”