Technology has been seen to continue improving the lives of people in many spheres because with enhanced communication, there is an increase in productivity as information is accessed almost instantly thus breaking time and location barriers. The young people have been seen to be at helm of ICT Innovation.
To this reason, Airtel Zambia Managing Director, Apoorva Mehrotra said Airtel is committed to empowering the youth of today and helping contribute to national development. He said employment, skills development and entrepreneurship will continue to be key to Airtel’s growth agenda.
Mehrotra was speaking during the Official opening of the 2020 ICT Business Forum organized by the Zambia Information Technology Authority (ZICTA), on March 4th 2020 attended by Zambian Business Times-ZBT in Lusaka.
“It is our great privilege for Airtel to be part of this conference which has the theme, Fast Tracking Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Zambia. Our sponsorship of this young innovators forum is testimony of Airtel’s commitment in partnering with ZICTA in addressing the gaps in the ICT sector,’’ said the Airtel Managing Director – MD.
Mehrotra applauded government for beginning to undertake policy, legal and institutional reforms to facilitate universal access to ICT and promote the use of ICT in business (e-commerce); networking of services and applications across the public sector.
Meanwhile, Director of Communications in the ministry of Transport and Communications, Yese Bwalya was at hand to officiate the event and said that the ministry will collaborate with ZICTA and various cooperating partners in launching the child online protection strategy to protect the youth from inappropriate and offensive content, making the cyberspace safer.
He expressed concern over the rise in cybercrimes such as internet fraud, cyber bullying, identify theft, spreading of false information and hacking being perpetuated by some unscrupulous people through use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
‘‘It is government’s desire to see people (Professional and ordinary), guarding against these vices and exhibit a high level of discipline, ethical conduct and proper use of the knowledge they possess in using ICT platforms,’’ said Bwalya.
