The secretary general of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Council and the chairman of Africa.com have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support Africa’s socio-economic development by ensuring affordable web access.
NEPAD and Africa.com will support one another’s efforts in ensuring that Africa’s small and medium businesses have affordable access to the internet and the Africa.com domain name, while also addressing the critical issue of youth unemployment across the African continent through the development of entrepreneurial opportunities in the technology sector.
“This business has two components. For the first time, small businesses will have the opportunity to build their online businesses on a domain that speaks to their pan-African identity. For example, a travel agent can register the name travel.africa.com or a vendor of mobile devices can register phones.africa.com. Second, after the small business registers the name, they can secure in one place, all of the services they need to take their African business online: email, hosting, a do-it-yourself website builder, etc,” Africa.com said.
NEPAD Council secretary general Dr Adesina Iluyemi said: “We are looking forward to partnering with Africa.com to give web presence and visibility to Africa’s businesses, and to provide training to the youth throughout the continent on how to get their businesses, ideas and projects online. We recognised the power that this effort has to address youth unemployment in Africa.”
Africa.com chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Teresa Clarke said: “Africa.com has long held a deep regard for the important work undertaken by the NEPAD Council to mobilise and energise global action. The NEPAD Council is an organisation of Africa’s best minds, who are committed to promoting and advancing accumulative and inclusive socio-economic development in Africa. We are pleased to be one element of their comprehensive strategic framework for creating opportunities for Africa’s businesses and youth.”
