NEWS
Datacentrix
tackles smart
mining at
first Mining
Indaba event
Airtel and MTN launch GSMA
‘We Care’ initiative promoting
digital inclusion in Rwanda
H
igh performing and secure ICT
solutions provider, Datacentrix, has
held its first Mining Indaba event at
Zebula Lodge in Limpopo, Botswana,
demonstrating to 90 industry attendees
how transformative technologies are
supporting smart mining operations.
The event provided a platform for the
South African mining sector to engage
in discussion about the industry’s digital
journey progress and challenges.
“Datacentrix and its partners put together an
agenda designed to provide advice to local
mining organisations wanting to embrace
Digital Transformation, looking at topics
including the hybrid multi-cloud, digitally
connected mines, IT security challenges
within industrial environments, video
surveillance and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
and intelligent data management within the
mining environment,” said Johann Coetzee,
Datacentrix’ Managing Director: Commercial.
“The over-riding theme of the event was that
the mining industry must take advantage
of the serious benefits offered through
digitalisation, automation, and the more
intelligent use of data. By embracing Fourth
Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology,
mining organisations can optimise their
environments, allowing them to take
advantage of greater predictability around
equipment and a more efficient labour force.”
R
wanda’s mobile industry has joined
forces with the GSMA to drive mobile
Internet adoption and increase digital
literacy in the country.
It was announced at the ‘Mobile
360 Africa’ event in Kigali that local
operators Airtel and MTN will commence
a programme of activity around digital
inclusion as part of the GSMA’s ‘We
Care’ initiative in Rwanda. It was
launched in collaboration with Rwanda’s
Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the
Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority
(RURA), supporting government efforts to
boost ICT penetration and digital services
across the country.
“I am glad to see the mobile operators,
Airtel and MTN, coming together to work
towards a common goal that will be
beneficial to society,” said Paula Ingabire,
Minister of ICT & Innovation of Rwanda.
8
INTELLIGENTCIO
“Smartphones are important ICT tools that
can be used to access key digital services:
education and information, healthcare,
financial services, amongst others.
Increasing digital inclusion in Rwanda will
therefore go a long way in empowering
our citizens and we are looking forward to
a sustainable collaboration.”
Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan
Africa, GSMA, added: “The agreement
marks an unprecedented collaborative
action by Rwanda’s mobile industry to
harness the power of the mobile Internet
to empower citizens and deliver on the
promise of a ‘Digital Rwanda’.
“Digital skills are a prerequisite for
people to get online and enhance their
lives through digital services. Through
We Care, Airtel and MTN are taking
significant steps to accelerate digital
inclusion across the country.”
www.intelligentcio.com