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McKinsey teams up with ITU Telecom as Knowledge Partner to explore
transformative impact of Internet in Africa
Leading global consultancy firm to co-host sessions, launch report at ITU
Telecom World 2013
Geneva, 16 October 2013 – Global consultancy firm McKinsey &
Co will join ITU Telecom World 2013 as Knowledge Partner, co-hosting sessions on
the economic and transformative impact of the Internet in Africa.
At ITU Telecom's flagship debate, networking and showcasing event in Bangkok,
19-22 November 2013, McKinsey will co-host two
Forum sessions
based on its upcoming "Lions Go Digital" report:
“The leapfrogging effects of the Internet make it the most interesting
development on the African continent since the wide-scale adoption of mobile
phones,” said Armando Cabral, co-author of the report and Director at McKinsey &
Company.
“Africa provides a tremendous example of the power of connected technologies
to drive socio-economic development at an unprecedented pace and scale,” added
ITU Telecom Executive Manager Blaise Judja-Sato. “We are particularly delighted
to explore this phenomenon with the influential global audience at ITU Telecom
World with the expert input of our Knowledge Partner, McKinsey.”
McKinsey’s Lions Go Digital report will officially launch at ITU Telecom
World 2013. It builds upon McKinsey’s consumer report, “The rise of the African
Consumer”, which was based on a large-scale survey of 15,000 urban consumers
from 12 countries across 19 cities –representative of Africa's diverse
economies, languages and market maturities. The report reveals that around 50
per cent of urban Africans are online despite limited infrastructure and
disposable incomes. It also estimates that today the Internet contributes USD 18
billion to GDP across the 14 countries which account for 90 per cent of Africa’s
GDP. This is significantly lower than the contribution in other emerging markets
and developed markets.
The report asserts that, similar to the mobile revolution, the Internet and
roll out of broadband could have massive impact in Africa, far beyond what we
have seen today, and could contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to
Africa’s GDP, have a transformative impact in key economic sectors, support a
step-change in education and health outcomes, and strengthen public services. To
achieve these gains though, leaders in both government and business will need to
make bold commitments to growth – and raise innovation and investment to
unprecedented levels.
In line with this recommendation, African Heads of State and Government along
with industry leaders and international development experts will be meeting at
the Transform Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, 28-31 October, to push for the
accelerated roll out of broadband as a means of driving socio-economic
transformation on the African continent. It is a follow up to the Connect Africa
Summit that was organized by ITU and the Government of Rwanda in 2007 to secure
investment for the expansion of mobile and broadband connectivity in Africa.
McKinsey co-hosted several well-received Leadership Summit and Forum sessions
last year at ITU Telecom World 2012 in Dubai. This partnership marks a
continuation of ITU and McKinsey's collaboration at ITU Telecom events.
Media Information:
Media accreditation for ITU Telecom World 2013, 19-22 November 2013, enabling
free access to the event for registered media and analysts, will run in
conjunction with the Connect Asia-Pacific Summit, which will be held on 18
November 2013. Accreditation is compulsory. UN Press accreditation is valid.
For accreditation and procedures, please see:
www.itu.int/en/Pages/media-accreditation.aspx
Latest ITU statistics can be found in the flagship report:
Measuring the Information Society.
See
www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2013/41.aspx
For more information,
see
world2013.itu.int or contact: |
Media Accreditation enquiries: |
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
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Soraya Abino Quintana
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