During Africa Tech Week, taking place in Cape Town on 4 and 5 March, the UK and South Africa announce their agreement to co-lead the Commonwealth Digital Connectivity Agenda.
This is one of five clusters of activity promoted by the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda on Trade and Investment, agreed at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.
The Digital Connectivity Agenda will facilitate an exchange of experiences, views and best practices on digital connectivity to support inclusive growth and sustainable development in the Commonwealth.
Member states will cooperate across a range of areas for the development of national digital economies, including on: ICT capability; regulatory frameworks; digital infrastructure; the disruptive effects of digital trade; and the participation of women in the digital economy, in order to enable all members to take advantage of the opportunities presented by digitisation.
Within this framework, there will be emphasis on enabling small economies and developing countries to overcome the challenges of digitisation brought about by the 4th Industrial Revolution and realise the benefits of digital trade and related investment.
The first meeting, scheduled to take place on 19 and 20 March 2019 in South Africa, will bring together senior policy officials from all regions in the Commonwealth to explore the effects of digital transformation and opportunities to enhance digital connectivity.
