In a move to drive digital transformation and the knowledge economy for socio-economic development across the African continent, Nokia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). This MOU aims to connect more people across Africa using the power of available telecommunications, including the potential of 5G networks.
This MoU will also lay ground for both organizations to better help governments shape telecom policy, develop talent and promote inclusion and diversity to include women and the underprivileged from rural and urban areas.
The MoU was signed in Nairobi, Kenya, by John OMO, Secretary-General at ATU, and Rajiv Aggarwal, Nokia Representative and Head of Central, East and West Africa Market Unit at Nokia.
Announcing the partnership, Rajiv Aggarwal, Head of Central, East and West Africa Market Unit at Nokia, said: “We remain keen on supporting Africa’s digital transformation journey and by collaborating with the ATU, we strengthen this commitment. We will leverage our global technology expertise and insights on policy matters to positively impact the universal socio-economic development in the continent.”
Co-signing the MoU with Mr. Rajiv, John OMO, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), said: “Our vision is to make Africa a full and active participant in the global information and knowledge society by enabling universal access to ICT systems and services across Africa. Collaboration with a global industry leader such as Nokia is therefore crucial in this regard and will help us accelerate towards a digital transformation and knowledge economy.”
The MoU framework is guided by six tenets designed to facilitate this acceleration.
- Sharing of best practices on telecom technology trends and developments;
- Identification of innovative industrial use cases toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution;
- Recommendation on the implementation of emerging technologies and business models;
- Promotion of connecting the unconnected with broadband;
- Development of emerging talent for digital innovation and Promotion of inclusion and diversity.
Nokia has been building partnerships and collaborations in Africa with organisations like UN Women in MEA, UNICEF in Kenya, and the Forge Academy in South Africa.
