7 - Targeted Strategic Initiatives 7.4 Back to Africa Initiative Egypt enjoys strong historical and cultural ties with the Africa continent. These ties are particularly strong with the Nile Basin countries. The Egyptian government seeks to build on its long-standing relations in Africa in all fields, and since the 25 January Revolution this goal has been designated a national priority. In this context, the Back to Africa Initiative seeks to use Egypt’s progress in the ICT sector, in terms of infrastructure, policies and human resources, to further strengthen its ties throughout the continent on the bilateral and regional levels, while promoting sustainable human and social development and establishing a strong ICT infrastructure, that would contribute to bridging the digital divide in Africa. The primary objectives of this initiative are: Enhancing Egypt’s role in Africa: Participating in ICT-related activities of various African organizations, including the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the Pan-African Postal Union (PAPU), the African Network Operators Group (AfNOG), the African Network Information Center (AfriNIC), the AfriNIC Government Working Group (AfGWG), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Development Bank (ADB) Nominating Egyptians for leading positions in African organizations working in ICT-related fields Hosting events in Egypt for African organizations working in ICT-related fields Hosting entities created by African organizations working in ICT-related fields 72 73 Proposing and implementing regional ICTrelated projects through membership of African organizations Continuing to follow up on projects resulting from cooperation between African, Asian and European countries Promoting African ICT development: Building human capacity in the ICT sector Promoting the creation of an environment conducive to ICT investment Exploring communication resources, including spectrum usage, and how best to use them Developing the regulatory and administrative structure of telecommunications regulation bodies Promoting the digitization of heritage and culture, thereby encouraging future investment in these areas Promoting and developing ICT use in marginalized regions 7.4.1 Back to Africa Initiative; Core Programs First: Nile ICT Corridor Initiative The Nile ICT Corridor Initiative aims to promote cooperation and integration in support of development and the formation of information societies and knowledge-based economies in the Nile Basin region – which comprises Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. This involves strengthening the role of ICT in social development, expanding and improving ICT infrastructure, establishing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment for ICT sector growth, and building the human capacity necessary for ICT integration across all sectors. Within the framework of this initiative, Egypt will be able to transfer experience and best practices – in areas including telecommunications regulation and the establishment of technology parks. Progress in these fields and related one in the Nile Basin region is expected to open new markets for Egyptian companies. The initiative includes the establishment of a high level committee on the ministerial level, that will determine relevant public policies and oversee the work of the following proposed committees: Nile Technological Committee for Community Development: Comprising an expert in ICT applications for community and sustainable development from each member country, the committee shall supervise the implementation of activities related to the development of technological skills, e-learning, e-content, telemedicine, e-government, democracy and governance, as well as projects related to women and children and empowerment of people with disabilities. Nile Technological Committee for ICT Infrastructure and Policies: Comprising an expert in the field of infrastructure and ICT policy from each member country, the committee shall supervise the implementation of activities relating to ICT infrastructure, connectivity and accessibility in partnership with the private sector. Activities will include the establishment of national computer emergency response (CERT) teams, human capacity building in the field of spectrum management, and the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks for telecommunications. Nile Technological Committee for Business Development: Comprising an ICT expert from each member country, the committee shall supervise the implementation of activities relating to the formation of partnerships between African institutions in areas including research, promotion of entrepreneurship, and the development of indicators and market studies. Primary objectives: Promoting cooperation with and among Nile Basin countries to help them establish information societies and knowledge-based economies Supporting integration and cooperation among the countries of the Nile Basin to facilitate the solving of common developmental challenges Establishing an ongoing dialogue with the countries of the Nile Basin on technical issues of concern Promoting a shared vision to address developmental challenges through ICTs