FINAL WORD
analysing big data to develop and better
deploy social services; governments
have many opportunities to drive digital
transformation and improve lives.
Beyond social impacts, the manner in
which governments operate and engage
with citizens, constituents, businesses,
and other government organisations
can be dramatically improved through
upgrading networks and numerous
other digital interventions.
Charmaine Houvet is Director of Public Policy Africa at Cisco.
African governments
must invest in digital
and partnerships
Charmaine Houvet at Cisco in Africa explains
governments must invest in technologies
suitable for connecting cities, communities,
countries, using Internet of Things.
The world is being transformed
by technology and governments
at all levels must embrace digital
transformation and partner with the
private sector to improve the lives
and prospects of its citizens, observes
Charmaine Houvet at Cisco. The role of
governments in the age of digitalisation
cannot be understated, requiring them
to embrace the digitalisation agenda in
order to serve the needs of their citizens
and remain globally competitive.
In the 2016 World Economic Forum
Global Information Technology Report,
South Africa ranked at 65th place
overall for harnessing information
technology, an increase of ten places on
the Networked Readiness Index. While
this is a marked improvement from the
2015 rankings, it was mainly driven
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INTELLIGENTCIO
by South African businesses usage of
technology, ranked 32nd in usage, while
government usage in the country scored
a disappointing 105th in the ranking.
There is clearly an opportunity for
government to use ICT for increased
competitiveness and well-being and
bring the objectives outlined in the
National Development Plan to life by
connecting cities, communities and
countries through the Internet of
Things. Cisco is prepared to play its
part in collaborating with government
and its partners to support the
National Development Plan goals to
transform education, healthcare and
drive job creation.
From intelligent streetlights to traffic
data gathered through devices, to
As more businesses, devices and
people are connected to the Internet,
technological advancement will
increase, requiring governments
to be more agile and proactive in
designing enabling policies that
are transformative and encourage
investment, transform the education
landscape and invest in broadband
infrastructure.
Cisco has worked with governments
globally to conceptualise and
implement digitalisation strategies. In
South Africa, Cisco invested in various
portfolios, including the Department of
Science and Technology contributing
R66 million in research investment. In
2016, the company invested R12 million
as one of the technology partners to
the recently launched Tshimologong
Precinct as part of Wits University and
the City of Johannesburg’s vision to turn
Braamfontein into a digital hub and a
Silicon Valley.
In 2011, Cisco’s then CEO and
current Chairman, John Chambers
met with various departments
within the Egyptian Government
to understand how to support their
priorities. In 2016, Cisco made a $10
million venture capital investment
towards seed capital for economic
development and job creation.
Beyond Africa, the Government of
India worked with Cisco to launch
manufacturing operations in Pune in
October 2016. Cisco is working with the
Government to transform Nagpur into a
Connected City. In addition, Cisco is also
working closely with State Governments
in India to digitally transform 14 cities
and plants and to connect 100 cities as
part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
Digital India initiative.
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