By our staff reporter

GITEX Africa, the continent’s premier tech and start-up event, is gearing up for its highly anticipated 2024 edition, promising to be a platform for robust discussions and collaborative ventures aimed at propelling Africa’s digital economy forward. Scheduled to take place in Marrakech, Morocco, from May 29 to 31, the event has garnered significant momentum, driven by the collective efforts of industry stakeholders and government support.

Under the esteemed High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, the 2nd edition of GITEX Africa is poised to build upon the success of its inaugural event in 2023, which was hailed as the world’s best tech launch event. With a diverse lineup of tech topics and collaborative initiatives, the event aims to foster innovation, accelerate digital transformation, and promote cross-continental partnerships.

Organized under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform and hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD), GITEX Africa 2024 will bring together thousands of attendees from across the continent for large-scale discourse and future-focused collaborations. From cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) to cybersecurity, digital health, and artificial intelligence, the event will explore a wide range of tech themes critical to Africa’s digital advancement.

Dr. Ghita Mezzour, the Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, emphasized the continent’s enthusiastic embrace of the digital revolution and Morocco’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in the digital field. With ambitious plans for the 2nd edition in Marrakech, Dr. Mezzour expressed excitement about hosting a diverse and impactful African and international tech presence.

Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the General Director of ADD, highlighted the success of the inaugural GITEX Africa event in 2023 and reiterated Morocco’s commitment to supporting Africa’s digital transformation journey. The upcoming edition presents another opportunity to enhance Africa’s digital ecosystems and boost the continent’s competitiveness in the global tech landscape.

A significant addition to this year’s event is the co-located World Future Health Africa, held under the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Digital Development Agency. This initiative underscores the continent’s commitment to accelerating the digital health revolution and leveraging technology to address healthcare challenges.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, the organizer of GITEX Africa and World Future Health Africa, highlighted the growing energy and demand for digital advancement from Africa, surpassing that of matured developed continents. The event’s tech showcase, including artificial intelligence applications in society and business, promises to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities.

The 2nd edition of GITEX Africa will welcome returning exhibitors, including multinational majors like Epson, Honeywell, Kaspersky, and Lexar, among others. These companies are eager to engage in future-focused collaborations and contribute to Africa’s thriving tech ecosystem.

Ethio Telecom has inaugurated a state-of-the-art experience center at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, offering both residential and enterprise customers a firsthand look at the latest technological innovations. The center aims to provide visitors with an immersive experience, showcasing a range of cutting-edge solutions designed to transform various sectors.

Frehiwot Tamiru, CEO of Ethio Telecom, highlighted the significance of the new center in introducing customers to advanced technologies. “This center features a range of innovative solutions, including virtual reality experiences, ultra-fast 5G connectivity, Smart Home Automation, Telebirr Finance transactions, Fintech Integration, Smart Tourism Services, Remote Patient Monitoring, Smart Farming Techniques, and more,” stated Frehiwot.

The meticulously organized experience center not only offers a glimpse into Ethio Telecom’s historical development but also provides insights into present and future technological advancements. Visitors can explore telecom gadgets while gaining an understanding of the company’s commitment to technological excellence.

Frehiwot emphasized the importance of leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to modernize various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and education. “The center showcases cutting-edge technologies that offer valuable opportunities for sectors to enhance their facilities and operations,” added Frehiwot.

The inauguration of the experience center marks a significant milestone for Ethio Telecom as it continues to lead the way in introducing innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers. Through initiatives like the experience center, Ethio Telecom aims to drive digital transformation and foster technological innovation across Ethiopia.

By our staff reporter

The 46th edition of the prestigious EIMA International, the world exhibition of agricultural mechanics, was officially presented during a press conference in Addis Ababa, marking a significant milestone in the partnership between Italy and Ethiopia in the agricultural sector. Led by Riccardo Zucconi, director of the ICE office, and Fabio Ricci, deputy director of FederUnacoma, the conference highlighted Italy’s pivotal role as Ethiopia’s second-largest supplier of agricultural machinery and the potential for further collaboration in enhancing Ethiopia’s agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Zucconi emphasized the critical need for mechanization in Ethiopian agriculture, stressing the importance of developing local enterprises to increase productivity and achieve food self-sufficiency. He underscored Italy’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia in this endeavor, citing the significant contribution of Italian industries to the country’s agricultural development.

Ricci provided insights into the current landscape of Italian exports to Ethiopia in the agricultural machinery sector, highlighting Italy’s market share and the value of exports in recent years. Despite a projected decline in sector exports for 2023, Ricci expressed optimism about the potential for growth in bilateral trade between Italy and Ethiopia in the coming years.

Against this backdrop, the upcoming edition of EIMA International, scheduled to take place in Bologna from 6 to 10 November, emerges as a crucial platform for fostering Italian-Ethiopian cooperation in the agro-mechanical sector. With over 50,000 models of machines, equipment, and components on display across 14 sectors and five thematic showcases, the exhibition offers Ethiopian buyers access to cutting-edge solutions for various agricultural activities, including seeding, plant protection, and harvesting.

Of particular interest to Ethiopia’s agricultural economy is the Idrotech showcase, featuring innovative irrigation technologies aimed at optimizing water resources and promoting sustainable farming practices. In addition to farmers and operators, an official delegation from Ethiopia, facilitated by the ICE Agency, is expected to attend EIMA International, further facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities between Italian and Ethiopian stakeholders.

Zucconi highlighted the pivotal role of the ICE Agency in promoting international cooperation through events like EIMA International, underscoring its support for Italian companies and its efforts to showcase the excellence of Italy’s agricultural mechanization sector on the global stage.

Beyond its exhibition of cutting-edge technologies, EIMA International offers a diverse program of meetings and dynamic tests, including demonstrations of machinery for bioenergy supply chains and trials of gardening and landscaping machines. One of the most anticipated features of the upcoming edition is the REAL space, dedicated to showcasing robots, drones, and other highly automated systems aimed at enhancing production yields and sustainability in agriculture.

By our staff reporter

In a significant move to address the pressing need for enhanced safety measures for journalists in Ethiopia, the Editors Guild of Ethiopia (EGE) has introduced a specialized online platform dedicated to tracking notifications of violent incidents and ensuring the safety of journalists across the country. This groundbreaking initiative marks the first of its kind in Ethiopia and is available in three languages: Amharic, Afan Oromo, and English, with support from UNESCO.

Ferew Abebe, Chair of the EGE board, hailed the launch of the platform as a crucial step forward in safeguarding the lives and freedoms of media professionals amidst a rising number of incidents jeopardizing their safety. “This innovative platform serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity for press freedom advocates,” Abebe emphasized, underlining its role in addressing the growing concerns surrounding journalist safety in Ethiopia.

Dubbed Sojethiopia.org, the portal also serves as a vital tool for monitoring reports of gender-based violence against Ethiopian women journalists. Designed to provide real-time monitoring and reporting of situations impacting women journalists across the nation, this unique platform offers a dedicated mechanism for addressing gender-specific safety concerns.

During the launch event held on Thursday, March 14th, speakers emphasized the critical role of the portal in raising awareness, offering assistance, and advocating for the safety and well-being of women journalists in Ethiopia. The platform’s dedication to preserving press freedom and promoting gender equality in the media was highlighted as a cornerstone of its mission.

Rita Bissoonauth, Director of UNESCO’s Addis Ababa Liaison Office to AU, UNECA, and Representative Office to Ethiopia, expressed optimism about the web portal’s potential to provide vital support to media officials through essential data for advocacy. She emphasized the platform’s focus on prioritizing the safety of women journalists, reflecting a concerted effort to address gender-specific safety challenges within the media landscape.