WeGO and Smart Africa partner to advance Smart Cities in Africa
WeGO and Smart Africa jointly agree to support capacity building and resource mobilisation for Smart Cities in Africa
Jul 28, 2021
Online – The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) and Smart Africa Alliance have announced a new partnership to develop and support the long-term impact of smart city initiatives in Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizes the collaboration between both organisations at both strategic and working levels within Africa’s Smart Cities ecosystem. This will see the organisations jointly mobilising resources, building capacity and conducting research and development to promote smart cities. The partnership will also focus on the development and provision of capacity-building programs, the organization of knowledge sharing activities, the conducting of research and development among others.
WeGO’s vision is to create “Smart Sustainable Cities for All”, encouraging and supporting innovative cities that leverage digital technology and connectivity to improve the quality of life, efficiency of urban operation and services, and economic prosperity for all citizens, while ensuring long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability. WeGO’s Secretariat is based in Seoul with regional offices in Nigeria, China, Russia, Turkey, and Mexico.
“Smart city projects need many friends and partners. We look forward to working with Smart Africa and contributing to the construction of the single digital market of community in Africa,” said Kyong-yul Lee, Secretary General of WeGO.
Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment by Heads of State in Africa to place technology at the centre of Africa’s socio-economic development. Having launched a continental blueprint for Smart Cities in Africa in 2017, Smart Africa has supported the
development of national strategies for smart cities in Ghana, Rwanda, Tunisia and Benin and continues to implement pilot initiatives such as the Smart Waste Management initiative in Rwanda to advance the Smart Cities agenda.
“As Africa’s urban populations grow increasingly diverse, we must look to technology and smart city solutions to build more liveable environments and improve the delivery of public services.
These initiatives have the potential to expand access to city services, improve public engagement, and spur economic growth,” said Mr. Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa.
This partnership aims to develop new thinking which will help Africa to get better outcomes from Smart Cities.
About Smart Africa Alliance
Smart Africa is an alliance of 32 African countries, international organisations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda. The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and use of ICTs. With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market. Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 32 member countries, representing over 815 million people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.
For more information, contact:
Smart Africa Secretariat
E-mail: comms@smartafrica.org
Website: www.smartafrica.org
Twitter: @RealSmartAfrica
Facebook: RealSmartAfrica