NAIROBI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday called for the harmonization of information and communication technology (ICT) policies across Africa in order to spur digital transformation.

Ruto said that the collaboration should be governed by a network of ICT authorities and overseen by the integration of digital transformation initiatives.

"This collaborative spirit is what we need to transform Africa into a digitally empowered and economically thriving continent," Ruto said during the opening ceremony of the Connected Africa Summit 2024, which kicked off in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

The forum is being held under the theme "Shaping the Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking Growth Beyond Connectivity." The five-day event brought together ICT ministers and regulators from 35 African countries, as well as officials from the European Union.

Ruto said that harmonizing digital policies across the continent will help fast-track Africa's ambition to position itself as the foremost global trade powerhouse, especially with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

He noted that closing the digital divide is a priority in enhancing internet connectivity, expanding the contribution of the ICT sector to Africa's gross domestic product (GDP), and driving overall growth.

The Kenyan leader noted that Africa's digital economy has immense potential and is projected to reach 712 billion U.S. dollars by 2050.

Henriette Geiger, the EU ambassador to Kenya, said that 10 percent of the economic bloc's financing for Africa is currently being used in the development of the digital economy.

"A single digital market will greatly transform the lives of citizens in the African continent," Geiger said. Enditem

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