He said: “Our local [ICT] infrastructure is in the process of being overhauled and modernised to keep up with technological evolutions and this will create opportunities and solutions for business, the industry and our communities at large. The Government of The Gambia, in pursuit of the vision to be an ICT hub, has already identified the location of an ICT park after a thorough feasibility study. Therefore, for your business prosperity and success, please come and invest in The Gambia, a country with longstanding peace, security and stability.”
The minister was addressing Africa Innovation Digital Summit on Tuesday at Kairaba Beach Hotel. Organised by Extensia Ltd, a UK-based ICT company, the annually gathers politicians, policy-makers, investors, regulators, service providers and vendors from across Africa, offering networking and business engagement opportunities.
Minister Jahumpa said the government had streamlined ICT in its development blueprints to facilitate improved productivity and development. He added: “Through the Pan African e-Network project, tele-education is made possible at the University of The Gambia. The PAeN also has an e-health platform that facilitates telemedicine and online medical consultations.
“The integrated financial management information system, IFMIS, rolled out by government, was so successful that it becomes best practice replicated in other African nations. This system has improved the financial and budgetary management of government.
“Recently, an online trading platform was validated by stakeholders to facilitators to facilitate e-commerce in the country. A single-window registration interface for business registration was also launched to expedite business registrations. The government has deployed an education management information system to collect and analyse data for policy direction and decision making in the education sector. The UTG has established a digital campus that utilises ICT research. It also hosts the West African Sub-regional Institute for Climate Change research. Investment in ICTs has been central in the overall investment strategy of the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency and special incentives are available for such investments.”
Author: Saikou Jammeh
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