From November 23 to 25, 2016, Brazzaville, Congo’s capital, will host the national conference on digital technology. The event which will be under the theme “Digital Economy: A lever for economic diversification, competitiveness, employment and modernization of public administration in Congo” will allow private and public actors of the ICT and telecom sectors to discuss the various ways to take to develop digital economy in Congo.

During the conference, the government plans to identify ideas and proposals from participants. However, only ideas likely to contribute to making ICT and telecoms an engine for national growth will be relevant. They will be used to develop the 2017-2021 national strategy for the development of digital economy in Congo. The nation, just like many others on the continent, suffers the plunge in oil price. By developing digital technology, it aims to at least reduce, if unable to end, its dependence on the commodity in the years to come.

In order to collect as many ideas as possible to develop the ICT and telecom sector, discussions during the conference will be oriented. The legal and institutional framework suited for the development of a dynamic digital environment will be addressed, in addition to strategies to foster innovation in youth, cybersecurity, e-commerce…

Muriel Edjo