Africa can pursue the development and sustainability of the technology-driven safe city concept - however, this is dependent on broadband connectivity and the buy-in of public/ private partnership to introduce relevant projects and processes.

Global ICT solution provider Huawei has upped its interest in Africa by underlining the importance of the safe city concept as part of the digitally connected world and drawing the interest of leaders from across the continent at the Huawei Safe City Africa Summit 2015 in Cape Town.

Delegates from several countries including Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia and Mozambique participated in the two-day Summit to discuss the feasibility of the concept, availability of required technology and the relevance of a partnership approach between public and private sectors to creating safe, equitable workplaces and cities.

Huawei is pushing the development and integration of state-of-the-art observation, communication and information management to create a 'safe city' – characterised by intuitive, educated response to crisis situations.

The company suggests the safe city concept, defined by interconnectivity between all stakeholders focused on safety and security (including law enforcement agencies and govt departments), is held up by the realisation of smart cities.

"ICT can better the lives of citizens, can ensure the safety and security of homes, businesses and communities... the ICT revolution is here with us and we must embrace it to advance humanity," said Dr Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, South Africa.

Security and the safety of citizens through the use of innovation and ICT to construct safe cities and manage threats via sophisticated, analytic approaches was brought into the discussion.

There is a definite need for broadband to facilitate ubiquitous connectivity and the need to embrace Internet of Things Dr Cwele added.

The Minister made strong reference to moves by the South African government to address recent incidents of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals. "Intolerance, regardless of its manifestation, will not be tolerated..."

Richard Chace, CEO of Global Security Industry Alliance (GSIA), spoke of the need to be more educated as business leaders. He said it is important to identify the root causes and reasons why there is a need for large scale projects before these are developed and implemented. "Safety and security are basic human needs... we truly live in an interconnected world, with unprecedented internet connectivity. Nothing in our lives is private anymore...digital connectivity means less privacy."

Li Peng, President of Huawei ESA region, explained the significance of the smart city and safe city concept to Africa.

"Information-led transformation and communication society will come into being.... It will bring about tremendous change ... digitisation and the internet has changed the way we live and work. Today we stand at a new starting point where digital and physical world are shifting to deep convergence. Interconnectivity must be smart and thereby lead to smart people and smart cities."