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FILE | Man working digital infrastructure.
World Wide Worx CEO Arthur Goldstuck says the G20 can advance digital transformation through public infrastructure.
Goldstuck spoke to SABC News ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Nasrec, Johannesburg, on Friday.
He says digital transformation needs three key elements such as reliable infrastructure, digital skills broadly and regulatory frameworks that support digital transformation.
Goldstuck says, “There is an opportunity to create secure ID systems, modern payment infrastructure and broader connectivity to allow businesses and public services to thrive as a result of the general public having access to the means of economic inclusion and digital inclusion.”
He says skills development is important because it supports youth opportunities across the continent.
Goldstuck says, “Everybody knows the cliché that we will have the biggest population of U30 people in the world across this continent. So, how do we take advantage of it? Among others, we need clear governance frameworks that allows for responsible use of emerging technologies, but also inclusive use so that that youth population can be brought into the digital transformation net.”
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
He says the timing of the summit is interesting because it comes at a time when there is very strong global attention on digital systems and in particular the role they can play in both economic resilience and innovation.
Goldstuck says, “South Africa’s government placed the country at the centre of that discussion because they have emphasised the contribution that digital transformation can make to the country’s infrastructure, but also in terms of what it can do for Africa in terms of priorities of the continent and its challenges have to be solved.”
“The summit is bring leaders together around digital infrastructure and inclusive growth but in particular a skills development and that is at the core of South Africa’s economic agenda, so it is a very good chance for alignment between global discussions and local strategy,” He adds.
PODCAST | Full interview with Goldstuck:
