Africa Internet (and Mobile) Entrepreneurs’ Conference 2011

Research studies have discussed the impact of the new media for business and development as including new business models, access to new resources, markets and opportunities for collaboration, and novel approaches to sustaining livelihoods [2-4]. However, these opportunities depend on the ‘capability to function’ – thus the ability of the African entrepreneur to go beyond access to new media and use associated functions and services which empower them in their individual ventures and contribute to sustaining their livelihoods. This capability to function starts from educating and training in the use of new media and hence the objective of this conference.
Afriec_Logo_2011_small Afriec_Logo_2011_small

PC Tech Magazine, in collaboration with PearlRichards Foundation Ghana is organizing a one day conference on the new Media and entrepreneurship in Africa. The conference titled, Africa Internet and Mobile Entrepreneurs’ Conference 2011 (AFRIEC 2011), seeks to showcase the innovative use of new media – internet and mobiles – by entrepreneurs to address the socio-economic and development challenges in Africa. This year’s theme is Rebuilding Africa through Internet Enterprises and mobile innovations”. The conference has three interrelated objectives, namely:

  • To offer participants an opportunity to share, discuss and learn from individual career experiences and profiles of African Internet and Mobile entrepreneurs.
  • To educate participants on how to use Internet and mobile resources and applications to support and promote their creative ventures.
  • To educate policy makers on how they can harness the potential of the Internet and Mobile innovations for youth empowerment and job creation.

The conference will take place on 4th March 2011 at Africana Hotel, Kampala, Uganda. It will bring together a blend of academics, practitioners and policy makers in the area of ICT for sustainable development and innovative mobile solutions for Africa. AFRIEC 2011 will encourage open minds, critical thinking, self-examination, creativity, and sharing ideas. We invite you to join us and look forward to welcoming you to the Africa Internet and Mobile Entrepreneurs’ Conference 2011. We believe your invaluable experience and insight, together with the academia, practitioners and policy makers of Africa will add to what is an invaluable discourse for Africa. We have no doubt it will be a challenging and thought-provoking, as well as an entertaining, experience.

References:

  1. Allen, E., Langowitz, N., Elam, A.E. and Dean, M. (2007). The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2007 Report on Women and Entrepreneurship Executive summary, Retrieved from www.gemconsortium.org [accessed 5th May, 2010].
  2. UNCTAD (2002) E-Commerce and Development Report 2002, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, New York.
  3. CGAP (2008). Banking on Mobiles: Why, How, for Whom? Focus Note, No.48. Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, Washington, D.C.
  4. Heeks, R. and Jagun, A. (2007). Mobile Phones and Development: The future in new hands? Id21 insights, Vol. 69, pp. 1-6.