ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) on Friday urged African countries to embark on digital revolution so as to transform the continent's current status as "takers of technology."
The call was made by ECA's Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe, as she called for concerted efforts toward improving the provision of digital identification (ID), digital trade and digital economy in Africa.
"Africa should move from being takers of technology and move towards being creators and developers. That way we can grow, create jobs and reduce poverty," Songwe said.
"All we have to ensure is that our governance and policies work well," she said, adding that a diversified education was the route to a diversified African economy.
According to Songwe, "there's a lot Africa can do" to fully maximize Africa's opportunities in digital ID, digital trade and digital economy.
Songwe's comments came following ECA's partnership with Chinese digital financial giant Ant Financial in August last year to promote digital financial inclusion in the African continent.
