Local businesses failing to utilise ICT

THE local business sector has been urged to take advantage through the usage of information communication technology (ICT) in the running of their business operations.

Speaking at the launch of the African ICT Achievers Awards in Windhoek on Thursday, CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Tarah Shaanika said ICT had become synonymous with competitiveness and profitability in most business. Shaanika lamented the fact that during this time of globalisation and technological advances, a number of Namibian businesses, especially those in the small to medium-sized sector, were failing to use ICT in their operations.”We need to change our appreciation of ICT and adapt to new realities which are affecting the efficiency and competitiveness of our businesses.We are obliged to embrace ICT in our businesses and in our daily lives if we are to move along with world developments and achieve global competitiveness as an economy,” said Shaanika.He challenged African government and business leaders to take urgent steps to accelerate the usage and development of ICT on the continent, as statistics by the United Nations show that Africa is lagging far behind when it comes to ICT compared to other regions.Studies show that only about 0,4 per cent of people in Africa use the Internet, which is below the average world usage of 6,7 per cent.”The lack of ICT skills poses a serious challenge to Africa’s economic emancipation.The digital divide on the African continent is significantly bigger than all other parts of the world and this is one of the most pressing challenges that are hampering development,” said Shaanika.This message ties in with the theme of this year’s African ICT Achievers Awards, which is ‘Making the African Century a Reality’.The annual competition – now in its eighth year – seeks to honour individuals and organisations that have made a difference through the use of ICT.The awards event is to be held in South Africa in November, where winners will be rewarded in seven organisational categories and nine individual categories.Also speaking at the event, Dorothy Haggard who is the Director: Sales and Marketing of ForgeAhead – the organisers of the event – said the awards’ overall aim was ‘to make the African century a reality’, meaning that this was the time for the continent to prosper and pull itself out of poverty and disease through the usage of ICT.The competition often has around 12 000 to 13 000 participants drawn from a number of countries which include South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Egypt, Namibia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Botswana and Nigeria.Last year, the Namibian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was a runner-up in the category for the top government department embracing ICT.More information about the competition and nominations can be obtained at www.forgeahead.co.za.Shaanika lamented the fact that during this time of globalisation and technological advances, a number of Namibian businesses, especially those in the small to medium-sized sector, were failing to use ICT in their operations.”We need to change our appreciation of ICT and adapt to new realities which are affecting the efficiency and competitiveness of our businesses.We are obliged to embrace ICT in our businesses and in our daily lives if we are to move along with world developments and achieve global competitiveness as an economy,” said Shaanika.He challenged African government and business leaders to take urgent steps to accelerate the usage and development of ICT on the continent, as statistics by the United Nations show that Africa is lagging far behind when it comes to ICT compared to other regions.Studies show that only about 0,4 per cent of people in Africa use the Internet, which is below the average world usage of 6,7 per cent.”The lack of ICT skills poses a serious challenge to Africa’s economic emancipation.The digital divide on the African continent is significantly bigger than all other parts of the world and this is one of the most pressing challenges that are hampering development,” said Shaanika.This message ties in with the theme of this year’s African ICT Achievers Awards, which is ‘Making the African Century a Reality’.The annual competition – now in its eighth year – seeks to honour individuals and organisations that have made a difference through the use of ICT.The awards event is to be held in South Africa in November, where winners will be rewarded in seven organisational categories and nine individual categories.Also speaking at the event, Dorothy Haggard who is the Director: Sales and Marketing of ForgeAhead – the organisers of the event – said the awards’ overall aim was ‘to make the African century a reality’, meaning that this was the time for the continent to prosper and pull itself out of poverty and disease through the usage of ICT.The competition often has around 12 000 to 13 000 participants drawn from a number of countries which include South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Egypt, Namibia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Botswana and Nigeria. Last year, the Namibian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was a runner-up in the category for the top government department embracing ICT.More information about the competition and nominations can be obtained at www.forgeahead.co.za.