Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo has been selected as one of the board members of the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Alliance for Digital Development (IEADD).
Director Telecommunication Development Bureau Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavaza congratulated CS Owalo for being a member of the Digital Innovation Board adding that the board said they will hold the first meeting in March 2024.
“Congrats CS Eliud Owalo for joining the IEADD Board. Delighted to connect prior to our first Board meeting next month,” said Zavazava.
“We spoke about International Telecommunication Union Global Symposium for Regulators (ITUGSR) 2024 focusing on emerging tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cross-sectoral cooperation in regulatory matters and more,” he added.
Owalo meets ITU Team
ICT Ministry also confirmed that CS Owalo met a delegation from the ITU on February 7 to discuss areas of possible collaboration in the telecommunications sector.
During the meeting, the CS noted that the government was keen on supporting the ITU in realizing its mandate.
The ITU team was led by Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director Telecommunication Development Bureau, International and Mr. Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB).
Owalo is among the 18 distinguished individuals were selected by Zavazava to serve as members of the Digital Innovation Board based on their expression of interest and a nomination process.
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Other Board Members
Other members include, Energy Deputy Minister Enkelejda Mucaj (Albania), Transport and Telecommunication Minister Mohamed bin Thamir (Bahrain, National Executive Director for Telecommunication Nestor Rios (Bolivia and President National Telecommunication Agency Carlos Baigorri (Brazil).
CEO SEMENA Telecommunications Bocar BA, Vice of China Association for Standardization Dr Li Tian, President National Telecom Regulatory Authority Eng. Hossam El-Gamal (Egypt) and Gabon’s Spokesperson Ministry of Communication and Media Laurence Ndong are also members of the board.
The other members are India’s Communications Vice Minister Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Japan’s Internal Affairs and Communications Vice Minister Hiroshi Yoshida, Director General Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (CAR) Daud Elvin Suleman and Nigeria’s Communication and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani.
Other Ministers who are part of the board include Umar Saif of Pakistan and Mondli Gungubele of South Africa.
Director General Tanzania CAR Jabiri Kuwe Bakari, Assistant Secretary General United Nations Office of ICT Bernardo Mariano Jr and Director General Zimbabwe Postal and Telecommunications Authority Dr. Gift Kallisto Machengete are also part of the board.
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About the Board
The Digital Innovation Board was established to provide strategic guidance, expertise, and advocacy regarding its mission of building critical local enablers and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development, to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all.
As the Alliance aims to accelerate innovation capacity and creating linkages at the national, regional, and global level, the Board will advance the efforts of the Alliance at the global stage, leading the dialogue on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development with relevant stakeholders and prospective partners, including UN agencies, governments, and private sector.
This accomplished group brings a wealth of personal expertise, leadership, and dedication to drive forward the Alliance’s collective vision of an equitable and sustainable digital future for all.
Dr. Zavazava will be one of the two Co-Chairs of the Board and the second chair will be nominated during the first meeting.
