The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia will support a project of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications, the aim of which is to support the development of e-governance in African countries. Demos of technological solution will be set up for officials from countries participating in the project to offer hands-on experience in e-governance.
“The African countries are countries with fast-growing economies and populations. Cooperation with them will offer Estonia many interesting opportunities. For example, we can introduce IT solutions to make governance more effective, increase cyber security, and implement e-services,” Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs Väino Reinart said.
Reinart explained that the project was triggered by the cooperation memorandum signed between Estonia and the African Union, which pointed out the union’s expectations regarding Estonia’s ICT expertise. “This project will give the cooperation memorandum a clear objective, being the first step towards creating an e-governance academy programme in the African Union,” Undersecretary Reinart added.
In cooperation with the African Union, ten countries interested in developing e-governance capability will be mapped. After that, officials and specialists responsible for ICT development in the chosen countries will get the opportunity take part in the project.
The total cost of the project is approximately €230,000, of which 58% is allocated from the Foreign Ministry's development cooperation and humanitarian aid instruments, 42% will come from the African Union, and the Estonian ICT cluster.
Further information:
Armo Vask
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Media Adviser, Communication Department
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +372 637 7618
Mobile: +372 5666 8581
