Broadcasting and Telecommunication Principal Secretary Sammy Itemere has said there is need for companies to develop new set of ICT Skills to address the needs of emerging technologies.

Noting that technology was fast evolving, Mr. Itemere said companies should take the advantage of the opportunity to tap new skills and turn them into business opportunities and employment creation.

Speaking when he officially opened a conference for the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) in Nairobi on September 21, 2016, Mr. Itemere expressed concern over the deficit of ICT expertise noting that the shortage hindered African states from implementing development policies and strategies for desired development.

Mr. Itemere said, based on its mission of capacity building, AFRALTI occupies a special position that can be exploited to help build ICT capacity needed in Africa to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

He said the Institute should help governments, regulators, industry and partners to build and transfer necessary skills needed for technological transformation.

He said the continent needs a strong skill base in engineering for economic development that will transform human life to catapult the continent towards economic advancement.

He said the Institute should not only rely on funding from member states to conduct its capacity building program, but also diversify efforts to mobilize resources from other sectors.

21st September 2016