Digital transformation in Africa is essential, particularly in light of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, said Yousry Al-Sharkawy, Chairperson of the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association (EABA) on Tuesday.
The EABA will be the first business association undertaking electronic communication between the Egyptian and African business communities, Al-Sharkawy said. He added that all further meetings held by the association’s members, their specialised committees, and business councils across the continent, will take place remotely. The exception to this rule will be the annual conferences.
The EABA will hold its first online meeting next Saturday 4 April to continue serving its members and boost communication. The move comes in light of the global coronavirus crisis, which has put a temporary stop to face-to-face meetings or events to curb the spread of the virus.
Al-Sharkawy pointed out that the time has come for business and civil society organisations to stand behind the technological trends for achieving Egypt 2030 vision. There are also African Union agendas on technological trends which businesses and civil society organisations must also support he said.
Africa is a promising market with Egypt a significant gateway to African markets for foreigner workers, Al-Sharkawy noted.
He added that the most prominent challenges Africa has faced in the past year were the continuation of conflicts, terrorism and extremism. Al-Sharkawy noted that the coronavirus pandemic, which is a humanitarian catastrophe not witnessed in modern history, will redraw the global economic map.
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