South Africa has the potential to leapfrog into the top 20 countries in terms of its global ICT ranking if the country improves the utilisation and access to all citizens.
This was the word from telecoms minister Siyabonga Cwele, delivering the ministerial address at the eleventh instalment of the GovTech conference hosted by the State IT Agency (SITA) in Midrand today.
According to this year's Global Information Technology Report Network Readiness Index, released by the World Economic Forum, SA's global ICT ranking sits at number 65 out of 139 economies.
The South African government set up its ambitious national broadband programme SA Connect in 2013. The initiative aims to deliver widespread broadband access to 90% of the country's population by 2020, and 100% by 2030.
However, the implementation of this project has been left wanting.
Last week, it was revealed SITA is yet to award the tender that will see the implementation of phase one of SA Connect, which saw the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) fail to connect government offices and schools during the medium-term.
Despite this, Cwele applauded efforts to increase connectivity in SA and noted the country has made significant progress since the introduction of the Internet 25 years ago.
The GovTech 2016 conference is held under the theme of ICT for development, access and growth, as well as the role of technology in improving service delivery, and follows on the heels of the government-approved Integrated ICT Policy White Paper.
The DTPS minister further noted that the white paper sets out a roadmap of how government aims to drive inclusive access.
"The ICT White Paper recognises the role of robust communications and facilitating universal services and access by promoting investment and participation in this sector.
"We will thrive if we develop local content and applications, and drive up domestic innovation to address the challenges facing South Africa and the African continent."
Cwele applauded SITA for heeding the call to focus on small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) as part of this year's programme agenda.
The minister believes ICT SMMEs offer the best platform for the development of relevant innovation, job creation, universal access and an inclusive economic activity.
The GovTech conference is taking place at the Gallagher Convention Centre until 2 November.
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