During Mobile World Congress 2016, Ericsson hosted a discussion on the impact of smart cities for a connected Africa with a distinguished panel of leading players in the information and communications technology on the continent. This took place at the second instalment of Ericsson's Africa Night, a networking and conversation platform for key stakeholders in the sector to engage on matters related to the digitization of Africa.

Fredrik Jejdling, Head of Ericsson's region sub-Saharan Africa, said: "Industries and society are transforming as a result of ICT. The establishment of Smart Cities that are equipped to manage some of the most important needs in evolving cities, such as safety, transportation and utilities, requires active collaboration between various stakeholders. At Africa Night, Ericsson reaffirms its commitment by contributing to dialogue on how to make smart cities a reality in Africa, supported by solutions relevant for this continent."

Facilitated by highly acclaimed Kenyan journalist and experienced host, Mr. Larry Madowo, the esteemed panel included Hon. Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, Rwandan Minister for ICT and Youth, Hon. Adebayo Shittu, Nigerian Minister of Telecommunications and Technology, Hon. Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize, South African Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Dr. Hamadoun Touré, Executive Director of the SMART Africa Program, Mr. Christian de Faria, Chief Executive Officer and MD for Airtel Africa, and Ms. Cynthia Gordon an Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for Africa Division at Millicom International Cellular.

Besides providing great insights, the panel reflected on the opportunities currently being explored to build connected cities on the continent particularly in Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa.

Hon. Jean-Philbert Nsengimana extolled the role of partnerships in delivering smart cities in Africa. "Rwanda is leading in four areas in collaboration with Ericsson; payments, digitising transportation, safety and utilities. There is no way a government alone can drive massive projects at the rate at which we are doing it without strong partnerships." Speaking on the progress of the Smart Rwanda project in his country, the Minister projected that 95% of all transactions between the government and citizens by the end of 2017 will be online, round the clock.

From the Nigerian perspective, Hon. Adebayo Shittu, shared the success of two initiatives that were having a positive impact on connecting Nigerians and bringing financial inclusion and accountability; the Treasury Single Account (TSA), as well as preloaded money cards that are now available for example to farmers.

Speaking on the benefits of an increasingly connected South Africa, Hon. Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize said: "Our e-government services has great impact in rural areas that were previously excluded, but now young people are in a position to access opportunities like any other person, irrespective of where they are located".

Dr. Hamadoun Touré called for more investment in infrastructure on the continent. "There is an investment need in infrastructure in Africa over next 10 years of over $300 billion, if the continent is to reach its full potential. The investment will not be charity, its business. Today, the continent has the highest return on investment. Governments are putting the right regulatory environments in place with regard to spectrum, licenses and national broadband plans and therefore with the public partnership model that we are advocating, there is money to be made".

The United Nations estimates that by 2050 almost 70 percent of the world's population will be city dwellers. Though Africa remains mostly rural with only 40% in urban areas as at 2014, this is expected to change in coming decades as Africa, like Asia, is expected to urbanise faster than other regions in the world.

The growth of cities raises a range of social, economic and environmental challenges, putting pressure on infrastructure, natural systems and social structures. However, as the challenges of urbanisation intersect with ICT-driven opportunities, solutions emerge with the potential to improve the lives of billions.