Nokia and ATU to speed up digital transformation and the knowledge economy in Africa

Nokia and ATU to speed up digital transformation and the knowledge economy in Africa

Press Release

Nokia and ATU to speed up digital transformation and the knowledge economy in Africa

Collaboration to leverage the power of ICT including 5G for Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0), connecting the unconnected and transforming lives

Both organizations reiterate commitment to shape policy, develop talent, and promote inclusion and diversity in Africa

15 September 2021

Nairobi, Kenya - Nokia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) to drive digital transformation and the knowledge economy for socio-economic development across the continent. The two parties will leverage the power of telecommunications, including 5G networks, to connect the unconnected and identify innovative use cases, as well as business models. In addition, the MoU will lay ground for both organizations to better help governments shape telecom policy, develop talent and promote inclusion and diversity. This includes women, as well as the underprivileged in both rural and urban areas.

The MoU was signed in Nairobi, Kenya, by John OMO, Secretary General at ATU and Rajiv Aggarwal, Nokia Representative and Head of Central, East and West Africa Market Unit at Nokia.

Announcing the partnership, Rajiv Aggarwal, Head of Central, East and West Africa Market Unit at Nokia, said: We remain keen on supporting Africa's digital transformation journey and by collaborating with the ATU, we strengthen this commitment. We will leverage our global technology expertise and insights on policy matters to positively impact the universal socio-economic development in the continent.

Co-signing the MoU with Mr. Rajiv, John OMO, Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), said: Our vision is to make Africa a full and active participant in the global information and knowledge society by enabling universal access to ICT systems and services across Africa. Collaboration with a global industry leader such as Nokia is therefore crucial in this regard and will help us accelerate towards a digital transformation and knowledge economy.

The MoU framework is guided by six tenets designed to facilitate this acceleration. These are:

Sharing of best practices on telecom technology trends and developments

Identification of innovative industrial use cases toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Recommendation on implementation of emerging technologies and business models

Promotion of connecting the unconnected with broadband

Development of emerging talent for digital innovation

Promotion of inclusion and diversity

Nokia has a long history of collaboration with international organizations and bodies across the globe. Regionally in MEA, Nokia recently partnered with UN Women to promote inclusion and diversity in Middle East and Africa. Nokia is also working with UNICEF as part of a shared-value partnership in Kenya to connect schools with broadband and empower children in rural as well as disadvantaged urban areas. In November 2020, Nokia supported the Forge Academy in South-Africa with the launch of a fully inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory to help students to become entrepreneurs in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the global digital economy.

ATU-Nokia MoU signing

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.

About ATU

The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) was founded in 1977 as a specialized agency of the Organization of African Unity, now African Union, in the field of telecommunications. Its membership comprises Africa countries and Associates from the private sector and civil society.

ATU provides a forum for stakeholders in ICT to formulate effective policies and strategies aimed at improving access to information infrastructure and services. In addition, the Union represents the interests of its members at global decision-making conferences and works on initiatives aimed at integrating regional markets, attracting investment into ICT infrastructure, and building institutional and human capacity.

Currently ATU has 49 Member States drawn from Governments and 54 Associate Members from within and outside the African region.

Media Inquiries:

Nokia

Kannan K

Nokia Media Relations

Phone: +971 529 823 406

E-mail: kannan.k@nokia.com

Communications

Phone: +358 10 448 4900

Email: press.services@nokia.com

ATU

Alice Koech

Programmes Coordinator

African Telecommunications Union

Phone: _254-722-203-132

Email: a.koech@atuuat.africa

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