Panel discussion on ICT4D

To commemorate international Africa day on May 25th, 2016, consultancy and research centre “AfriKo” in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and association “Infobalt” organized panel discussion about the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on Africa and opportunities for Lithuanian ICT sector.

ICT4D* is an abbreviation little known in Lithuania, but one that has already established itself firmly in the agendas of international organisations. ICT4D refers to the involvement of ICT sector in solving various social, political and economic problems in developing countries. In this context African countries are the first to be mentioned, especially given the rapid growth of ICT sector and an ever-increasing penetration of Internet and mobile technologies even in the most remote areas of the continent. Can this spread of information technologies contribute to positive changes and solve problems devastating the continent? Can businesses initiate and contribute to such changes? What kind of initiatives do the international development organizations fund? What knowledge is crucial when entering emerging markets of Sub-Saharan Africa?

Answers to these and other questions will be presented by a panel of ICT4D experts gathered in Vilnius at “AfriKo” invitation:

Katja Sarajeva is a project manager for the Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions (Spider) supported projects in countries across the world, including projects in East Africa.

Pelumi Fadairo is a business consultant, advising European companies looking to enter the Sub-Saharan Africa market.

Claude K. Migisha is a technologist with over seven years of experience working at the intersection of technology and socio-economic development.

Helen Kokk is an established user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designer, who works for various companies around the world.