The East African Community (EAC) in partnership with the Internet Society – Uganda Chapter, are set to host the 11th edition of the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) in September this year.

The Forum will take place from 11th to 12th September, 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, under the theme “Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future for East Africa.”

The primary objective of the EAIGF is to create an inclusive, multilateral, multi-stakeholder and multilingual discussion platform. The platform addresses crucial issues that enhance Internet development and governance in East Africa.

Speaking about the upcoming Forum, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, called on the region’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry players and other stakeholders to use the forum as a platform for shaping the digital integration agenda for the region.

“In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, effective Internet governance is crucial for fostering innovation, ensuring security, and promoting inclusivity. As EAC, we are committed to building a multi-stakeholder digital future where governments, private sector, civil society, and academia collaborate harmoniously,” said Hon. Ariik.

Hon. Ariik said that it was only through such collaborations that the region would be able to create an interconnected East Africa that thrives on shared knowledge, robust infrastructure and equitable access to digital opportunities.

“Our collective efforts will empower our citizens, enhance economic growth, and strengthen regional integration, driving us toward a prosperous digital future,” he added.

Since its inception in 2008, the EAIGF has served as a pivotal platform for dialogue on Internet Governance issues in East Africa. The forum fosters a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together representatives from government, media, private sector, civil society and academia to shape the future of the Internet in the region. The EAIGF aims to increase awareness, build policy capacity, and enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy and governance.

Discussion from regional forums such as the EAIGF go on to feed into the Continental Internet Governance Forum, which assembles contributions from across Africa with the goal of realising the multi-stakeholder model at both the continental and global scales. The EAIGF follows a bottom-up multi-stakeholder approach, which begins at the National IGFs that form the building blocks for the regional EAIGF.

The forum is hosted on the premise of enabling the meaningful participation of developing nation partners in global Internet policy development has long been identified as an important priority in achieving an equitable and accessible Information Society. It is in this spirit that the EAIGF brings together multi-stakeholder representatives in shaping discussions on how the Internet is run.           

The EAIGF is part of the global UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) that provides an environment to continue dialogue on public policy issues around with the goal of ensuring the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet.

The 11th edition of the EAIGF will address the following issues:

Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space;
Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development and sustainability;
Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age; and
Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want.

Last hosted by Uganda in 2016, the EAIGF will also provide an opportunity to showcase Uganda’s vibrant digital ecosystem while learning and sharing experiences from other countries on how to make the Internet work for all in the region. Uganda’s Internet landscape has seen significant developments in the last 10 years with dynamic and growing digital innovation driven by supportive policies, increasing infrastructure investments and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community.

“Capital”, “religion”, “language”, “map” – those are the words that Germans most commonly search for on Google together with “Senegal” and “Côte d’Ivoire”. But these two democracies on the western coast of Africa have so much more to offer.

Senegal and Germany are united by our democratic values. The Senegalese Government is also leading mediation efforts between ECOWAS and the military rulers in the Sahel and taking on responsibility for stability in the region. In times of global geopolitical tension, our partners are no longer found only in Paris, Washington or London. Far from it – it is just as natural for us to look to the western coast of our neighbouring continent. In Senegal’s capital Dakar, Foreign Minister Baerbock will hold political talks with her counterpart Yacine Fall and President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, as well as meeting with representatives of civil society.

Change to green: Senegalese e‑buses with German charging software

Dakar embodies Senegal’s young, innovative and ambitious society like almost nowhere else. It is the unofficial African film capital and the home of the continent’s largest art biennale, with universities and a steadily expanding start‑up culture that is also fuelling the green transformation. Driving to work without sitting in traffic? Not a problem in Dakar. Over 120 electric buses criss-cross the city in dedicated lanes, not only creating over a thousand jobs and reducing carbon emissions by 59,000 tonnes each year, but also saving the city’s inhabitants time in their daily routines. Foreign Minister Baerbock will take a first-hand look at Dakar’s rapid bus system, which is supported by the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and uses German software from Baden-Württemberg to manage charging processes. She will also talk to senior managers and other staff.

A forum for exchange and understanding – the new Goethe-Institut in Dakar

“We need experiences and ideas from both continents,” as Federal President Steinmeier said two years ago when the foundation stone was laid for the new Goethe-Institut in Dakar. Now, Foreign Minister Baerbock is set to attend the topping‑out ceremony. The new building by star architect Francis Kéré combines the history, tradition and future of our cultures, with sustainable construction methods as well as local materials and techniques. It is designed to embody one thing above all: the emergence of a forum for exchange and understanding between our societies.

For sustainable partnerships in Côte d’Ivoire

From Dakar, Foreign Minister Baerbock will travel on to Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. The democracy on the Gulf of Guinea is among the fastest-growing economies in Africa. Cocoa, coffee, cashews – these products on our supermarket shelves are often Ivorian and are in demand worldwide. In Abidjan, Foreign Minister Baerbock will hold political talks with her counterpart Léon Kacou-Adom and President Alassane Dramane Ouattara, as well as meeting with business representatives from both countries. In the past, the economic success of Côte d’Ivoire had a dark side. Over half of its forests were cleared in just four decades to provide land for agriculture. The West African country has now set the goal of better protecting its resources, carrying out reforestation and sustainably boosting its economy. And it can count on Germany as it does so. Both countries can benefit from the close partnership between them. Côte d’Ivoire also holds great potential for German investments, for example in renewable energies.

Stability through security

When it comes to security, too, Côte d’Ivoire is an indispensable actor in the crisis-hit neighbouring region of the Central Sahel. Foreign Minister Baerbock will therefore visit the International Academy for the Fight Against Terrorism in Abidjan. The Academy trains special forces and prevention experts, advises governments, provides information about terror networks and in particular strives to offer prospects to the young generation in Côte d’Ivoire and neighbouring countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Germany – Federal Foreign Office.

Eritrean professional rider Henok Mulubrhan has won the Green Jersey at the Tour of Qinghai in China. Henok secured the victory in the tournament, which consists of 8 stages.

In a tour that saw the participation of 120 riders and covered 1,193 km, Henok finished fourth in the General Classification, 2 minutes and 11 seconds behind the winner, Colombian rider Cepeda Jefferson Alveiro. He also placed second in the King of the Mountain classification.

Last year, Henok, with the Green Project – Bardiani team, won both the yellow and green jerseys in the 22nd edition of the Tour of Qinghai.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

BroadReach Group (https://BroadreachCorporation.com/) and Washington-based BAO Systems have entered into a collaboration agreement that will advance how patients can benefit from ethical healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) across continents.

BroadReach (https://BroadreachCorporation.com/) and BAO are collaborating on the enablement of DHIS2 (https://DHIS2.org/), powered by AI from Vantage Health Technologies, part of BroadReach Group. DHIS2 is the world’s largest health information management system, underpinning healthcare systems across more than 100 countries. BAO Systems (https://apo-opa.co/3LokMXm) is a US-based health IT organization with deep expertise in implementing DHIS2 globally.

The partners will use AI-powered DHIS2 to support the performance of healthcare operations and the health workforce to be more efficient and effective, optimizing scarce resources. Initial areas of focus include HIV prevention, care, and treatment, as well as reproductive health.

Chris LeGrand, CEO of BroadReach Group, said: “In the evolving landscape of global health, digital innovation emerges as a beacon of hope, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare accessibility and quality. We are honored to partner with BAO Systems to drive advancement in how AI can add value to our customers and ultimately better health outcomes.”

Paul Bhuhi, Managing Director of Vantage Health Technologies, says: “Working together BroadReach Group and BAO systems will bring all the benefits of ethical AI to collaborate in the creation of AI driven insights that improve health systems performance and health outcomes. BroadReach will achieve this via its AI driven platform ‘Vantage’, and BAO Systems will collaborate with its deep knowledge on DHIS2 and other health data sources. Together BroadReach Group and BAO Systems will unlock the value that sits within existing ICT platforms and data streams, such as DHIS2, and offer next generation value from that data to its customers and users.”

Steffen Tengesdal, CEO of BAO Systems, added: “Our collaboration with BroadReach Group marks a significant step forward in leveraging data and AI to enhance health system performance. By combining our expertise in DHIS2 with BroadReach’s AI-driven platform, Vantage, we aim to unlock the value of existing ICT platforms and data streams, providing next-generation insights and improving health outcomes globally.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BroadReach Group.

About BroadReach Group:
BroadReach Group is a group of social impact businesses focused on harnessing innovation and technology to empower human action. Since 2003 BroadReach Group has worked in over 30 countries to support governments, international NGOs, public and private sector to improve health outcomes for their populations. 

BroadReach has been at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to improve the outcome of people living with HIV, TB and other diseases for more than 20 years. BroadReach Group has two mutually reinforcing businesses, BroadReach Health Development and Vantage Health Technologies. We help health organizations optimize health outcomes and resources by using AI and Machine Learning to enable timely and informed action to deliver better health outcomes, more efficient use of scarce resources, cost efficiencies, improved organizational performance and more sustainable health systems.

About BAO Systems:
BAO Systems is a leading provider of innovative data technology solutions for global health programs and other international development sectors. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., BAO Systems specializes in implementing DHIS2, the world’s largest health information management system. The company offers a suite of services including data analytics, system integration, and training, aimed at empowering organizations to make data-driven decisions to improve health outcomes. BAO Systems has a strong track record of supporting international health programs and has been instrumental in advancing the use of data for better decision-making across numerous countries.