Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), is participating in the 2020 African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Day, celebrated on December 7, under the theme “Post COVID 19: Role of Telecoms/ICT in the Resumption of Socio-Economic Activities.”
 
The Day marks the anniversary of the ATU establishment in 1977. The ATU Day is celebrated annually by ATU Member States, reflecting on and demonstrating the key role ICT has played and continue to play in the social and economic development in Africa.

This year’s theme is consistent with the ATU statutory objective of promoting the programs for the development of the African information society and the pillar of promoting quality broadband infrastructure and affordable ICT services, under the current 2019-2022 ATU Strategic Plan.

The Day aims to bring together ATU Member States to deliberate on how ICT can play a critical role in the resumption of socio-economic activities across the continent, amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The agenda of the Day includes a round table forum, where ICT policy makers and regulators from the region come together to deliberate on the Day’s theme and showcase the steps they have taken in their response to COVID-19.

It is worth mentioning that the ATU has, over the past few months, spearheaded and collaborated with ICT players on various programs, projects and activities aimed at attaining the digital transformation in Africa. The Union also launched the ATU Africa Innovation Challenge 2020 with the aim to recognize young African innovators who developed solutions that can help Africa combat the pandemic.

Founded in 1977, ATU is a specialized agency of the African Union (AU) in the field of telecommunications. The Union provides a forum for stakeholders involved in ICT to formulate effective policies and strategies aimed at improving access to information infrastructure and ICT services.