NEWS
Secure, trusted Internet critical to
advancing African economy
Many African countries have made significant progress
towards creating an Internet sector, with broad reforms that
focus on increasing broadband availability. This is according
to a new report launched by the Internet Society. Promoting
the African Internet Economy highlights how greater use of
the Internet and digitisation of the traditional economy will
spur economic growth in Africa. The report further examines
Internet adoption and use by companies and governments
throughout the region, identifying barriers that must be
overcome in order to create an Internet economy that delivers
innovative services, job opportunities and income growth
across the continent.
“The Internet economy presents a major opportunity for
Africa. However, Africa needs a secure and reliable Internet
infrastructure that users trust in order to bring large and small
businesses online, along with governments and other social
services,” explains Dawit Bekele, Africa Region Bureau Director
for the Internet Society.
“In addition to the economic costs, Internet shutdowns also
affect trust. If people don’t know whether they will have
connectivity, they can no longer rely on that connectivity to
build Internet-based businesses,” added Bekele.
The McKinsey Global Institute predicts that in addition to
contributions to GDP, the Internet will deliver productivity
gains across Africa. These productivity gains across six key
sectors (financial services, education, health, retail, agriculture
and government) are projected to be valued at between USD
$148 billion and $318 billion by 2025.
Paratus to disrupt enterprise telecom
market in Botswana
Paratus intends to disrupt the telecoms market and bring
quality, reliable enterprise telecommunication services to
Botswana. The operator sees a tremendous amount of
potential in the market and is committed to providing its
signature, innovative solutions as a fresh approach in Botswana.
approach. We have various initiatives in place that will allow
us to springboard into the New Year and take Paratus to the
next level in Botswana,” he concludes. n
Paratus Botswana Managing Director, Shawn Bruwer, says
Paratus is well suited for the business that is serious about its
Internet and connectivity needs. “We differentiate ourselves
by being a responsive, service-focused provider of the highest
quality solutions – backed by innovative thinking and a wealth
of experience in Africa.
“We have the expertise within the group to provide solutions
to the most challenging problems facing businesses today in
Africa. Our resilient network and quality infrastructure, built
with premium equipment coupled with an ethos to constantly
produce dynamic solutions for the ever-changing economic
landscape, forms the foundations of what makes our offerings
robust,” he explains.
“There is so much potential for what we can offer. We
are constantly scaling and ensuring we have a proactive
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