Cities are home to 3.5 billion people, half of humanity, and this figure is projected to rise to 5 billion by 2030. Government, industry, academia and civil society are working together to accelerate the digital transformation of cities and communities to meet today’s challenges and challenges to come.
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) highlights their mutual commitment to collaborate in support of the innovation required to achieve the New Urban Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development.
The MoU supports the collaboration of ITU and UN-Habitat to advance human rights, promote social inclusion and achieve sustainable urban development. It supports the organizations in encouraging responsible investment and financing for smart city projects as well as inclusive dialogue around the support offered by digital technologies and related standards and guidelines.
“From climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic, ICTs offer new solutions to the challenges facing cities and communities across the world,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “With this new collaboration agreement, ITU and UN-Habitat are committed to reducing spatial inequality and poverty in communities ─ as well as strengthening climate action in urban environments ─ to promote social inclusion and achieve sustainable urban development.”
UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif observed that: “Digital technologies and data offer new ways for urban managers to make informed decisions and strategic choices. We need to build digital capacity and digital public infrastructure to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution leave no one behind. By bringing together UN-Habitat and ITU, we have the potential to build the real people-centred smart cities of the future.”
The MoU is a new step in the collaboration of ITU and UN-Habitat, building on initiatives such as United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC), an initiative supported by 17 United Nations partners with the aim of achieving SDG11: ‘Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’.
This shared experience is now supporting a UN system-wide effort led by UN-Habitat to develop an Urban Monitoring Framework to strengthen the links between the national and local monitoring and reporting processes supporting sustainable urban development.
The effort benefits from cities’ experience with U4SSC Key Performance Indicators for Smart Sustainable Cities based on ITU standards, indicators that have been adopted by more than 100 cities to evaluate their progress towards smart city objectives and the SDGs.
Standards for smart cities
The world’s three leading standards bodies ITU, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have established a Joint Task Force to coordinate international standardization for smart cities. The Joint Task Force will engage all stakeholders to ensure that standards bodies capitalize on synergies to develop comprehensive standardization solutions for smart cities.
ITU standardization work for ‘Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities’ is led by ITU-T Study Group 20. The standards developed by the group provide technical foundations for smart city innovation, helping cities to innovate efficiently and at scale. An important aspect of this work is the development of standards supporting sustainable urban development.
Africa’s smartphone market showed remarkable resilience in the face of macroeconomic challenges and forex issues in Q1 2024, with shipments increasing 17.9% year on year (YoY) to reach 20.2 million units.
That’s according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC), with the firm’s newly released Quarterly Global Mobile Phone Tracker showing that feature phone shipments declined 15.9% over the same period to total 18.8 million units. This marks the first quarter where smartphone shipments have surpassed feature phone shipments in Africa, highlighting a clear transition toward smartphones across the region.
“South Africa experienced healthy YoY growth in Q1 2024, driven by the rising popularity and availability of competitively priced Chinese brands with advanced features,” says Arnold Ponela, a senior research analyst at IDC. “Meanwhile, Nigeria saw robust growth fueled by the success of Transsion brands and Xiaomi, particularly in the entry-level segment, which significantly boosted shipments. Kenya further strengthened its position as the third-largest smartphone market in Africa in Q1 2024, with innovative financing models like Mkopa driving sales growth.”
In Q1 2024, Transsion brands (Tecno, Itel, Infinix) maintained their leading position in terms of smartphone market share, driven by their compelling entry-level device portfolio tailored to the African market. However, Samsung and Xiaomi gained market share on the previous quarter, driven by mid-range ($200<$400) models. Overall, shipments of smartphones in this price range increased in Q1 2024, while shipments of <$100 devices declined, indicating a growing consumer preference for feature-rich models.
Looking at 2024 as a whole, IDC expects Africa’s smartphone market to see shipments increase 5.7% YoY, with a sustained upward trajectory for the next five years. “Africa remains a market with a high share of feature phones, although they are expected to gradually decline as the transition to smartphones gains momentum,” says Akash Balachandran, a research manager at IDC. “This shift, coupled with rising demand, will be the key driver of overall growth in the smartphone market. Persistent inflationary pressures and escalating macroeconomic uncertainties may cause short-term fluctuations but will not impede the long-term transition.”
In almost every circle, you will find a tech-bro, tech-sis, or tech enthusiast diligently refining their skills, aspiring to secure dream tech jobs that promise financial success and elevated social status.
What was once considered a niche has now evolved into a revered profession, capturing the interest of today’s youth.
The growing interest in the tech industry has prompted enthusiasts to look for the best methods and resources to acquire the skills needed to succeed in this dynamic field. Are you among those eager to acquire these sought-after tech skills? Here are four ways to do it.
Join networks and communities: Tech enthusiasts are encouraged to join communities, attend meetups, or participate in hackathons. These activities provide valuable networking opportunities with other tech enthusiasts and industry experts. You can gain insights, guidance, and support to advance your tech skills by engaging in these events. Additionally, networking can open doors to job opportunities and collaborative projects.
Engage in Hands-On Projects: Creating projects is an excellent way to strengthen your tech skills. You can build a website, develop a mobile app, or work on a data analysis project, leveraging open-source projects. The more you practice, the more your knowledge expands, allowing you to gain expertise even with initial setbacks or roadblocks.
Get an Industry Mentor: Another way to garner tech skills is to learn directly from an expert. A mentor can offer personalised advice, share industry insights, and provide support as you navigate your career path. Look for mentors who align with your career goals and values, and actively engage with them to maximise the benefits of mentorship.
Enroll in Tech Academy Programs: Whether physical or virtual, institutions and reputable platforms offer In-demand tech courses one of which is the Zarttalent Academy. The Zarttalent Academy provides diverse tech courses in Frontend Engineering, Backend Engineering, Project Management, and Product Design. In addition to a comprehensive learning experience, the academy awards students who complete the programs with globally recognised certificates. Graduates enjoy additional benefits such as international internship opportunities, access to global mentors, international job opportunities, and dedicated career support services.
Technology has become an essential part of our daily lives and no one can do without it. Acquiring in-demand tech skills can help you stay ahead of the curve and give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.
The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations. The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”
According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public. Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.
With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.
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