Denis Opudo
Finally, there is hope for African states as Egypt and Technology continue to marry each other. The United Nations announced the launching of African Technology Innovation Lab (UNTIL). The major announcement was warmly welcomed by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt among other government officials.
The main reason for the construction of the facility is to host, train and implement technological innovations and develop solutions which will effectively lead to sustainable development. African states will benefit from this initiative since it will allow people from various states in Africa to research within the facility. A chance will also be given for people to showcase their innovative skills.
According to the plans, the facility should be erected at the outskirts of Cairo in Smart Village and specifically at the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) in Egypt. The UN intends to set up an institution where all solutions would use open data and source software. Egypt and Technology should be one aspect, and this calls for the cooperation of the state.
The disadvantaged people in the society living with disabilities won’t be left out since the lab will also consider the education of such people and other related fields. The facility will also consider waste management, disease prevention and medical tourism with respect to technology.
Richard Dictus who is the UN resident coordinator in Egypt expressed his expectations considering that Egypt is a tech hub in Africa and it plays a major role in technological advancement. He further added that the development of ICT and technological innovation that will lead to sustainable development and reduce gender discrimination, exclusion, and vulnerabilities in the society.
