The African Renaissance Monument hosted, on November 13 and 14, the first edition of the “This is Africa Digital” Forum (TIAD), a pan-African event dedicated to inclusive digital transformation, with a particular focus on youth and women’s empowerment.

The event brought together institutional decision-makers, private actors, technical and financial partners, as well as innovators, to exchange views on the challenges and opportunities of digital technology in Africa.

The discussions focused on crucial topics, including digital education, the use of artificial intelligence in teaching, and the protection of personal data.

Ms. Fatou Ka, Director General of the Directorate for the Protection of Personal Data, recalled the importance of her institution in raising awareness among the population and guaranteeing digital sovereignty.

Ms. Ka emphasized that digital sovereignty cannot be achieved without digital education for young people. She also stressed the need to include women in digital development and entrepreneurship, to open up new markets and income opportunities for them.

The representative from the Ministry of National Education, Ms. Fatou Sène, highlighted the ambition to train 105,000 teachers in artificial intelligence and digital technology in order to adapt teaching to current technological realities. She specified that 7,000 digital technology coordinators have already been trained, marking a first step.

The representative of the Rwandan ambassador, Guillaume Gazobina, expressed his gratitude to the organizers, recalling the fraternal cooperation between the countries.

He stated that "Rwanda and Senegal share a common vision: that of a connected, integrated Africa capable of designing its own digital solutions for development."

Mr. Gazobina highlighted Rwanda's implementation of the national portal ILEMO, an achievement that aims to bring the administration closer to citizens, simplify procedures, and strengthen the transparency and efficiency of governance.

The Chairman and CEO of One Africa Group, Alfousseyni Ba, welcomed the initiative and expressed his desire to support the development of digital technology in Senegal.

According to him, education needs to be rethought to be more adapted to the needs of the continent.

Mr. Ba stated that Africa is the future of the world and that digital technology is a major component of it, adding that it must stop simply supplying raw materials and take control of its own development.

He emphasized the importance for Africa of owning its own data and data centers. He concluded by reiterating that Africa's future depends on empowering women and young people, who must have access to the knowledge and resources necessary to develop their skills and businesses.