The Minister of Communications Technologies, Sofiene Hemissi, stressed that the responsible use of artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities to support economic growth and promote sustainable development in Africa. He nevertheless emphasized the need to have solid and durable digital foundations in order to fully harness these prospects.
Strong Digital Infrastructure as a Prerequisite
Speaking on Wednesday in Seoul, as part of the ministerial meeting on Korea-Africa economic cooperation, held from September 8 to 11 under the theme “Harnessing artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to transform Africa,” the minister detailed several conditions necessary for the development of AI on the continent.
He notably cited the establishment of resilient digital infrastructures, ensuring an adequate energy supply, strengthening cloud computing capabilities, as well as investment in skills and qualifications development.
Tunisia Focuses on Digital Services and Innovation
Sofiene Hemissi reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to this dynamic, through the continued development of digital services and support for innovation.
According to the minister, digital transformation and artificial intelligence can constitute levers of economic and social development and open new prospects for African countries.
A Call to Strengthen International Cooperation
The minister also called for intensified international and regional cooperation in the areas of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
This cooperation should, according to him, facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge as well as the development of the capacities necessary for the adoption of new technologies.
In this context, Sofiene Hemissi praised the role of the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Platform in capacity-building and in providing innovative financing mechanisms.
These instruments can, he said, help transform digital visions and strategies into concrete projects and initiatives on the African continent.
