Edwige A. Robinson, Senior Vice President of Network Engineering at T-Mobile

The Fourth Industrial Revolution holds immense importance for Africa, offering economic empowerment, social development, environmental sustainability, and global competitiveness. By embracing technology, Africa can unlock new economic opportunities, bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, address environmental challenges, and position itself as a global player in the digital economy. It is an opportunity that will benefit all Africans and shape a prosperous and inclusive future. Hello, how are you? I am Edwige Robinson, Senior Vice President of Engineering, Network and Operations for 5G Innovation at T-Mobile. Today, I want to talk about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution is crucial for the world and it holds immense importance to the continent of Africa. For Africa, the Fourth Industrial Revolution represents a monumental opportunity to leapfrog traditional development pathways and catalyze sustainable growth and prosperity. Here's why. One, economic empowerment. Embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution technology can unlock new economic opportunities and drive inclusive growth. By harnessing digital platforms and leveraging data-driven insight, African economies can diversify the revenue stream, attract new investment, and create jobs for the youth population. Two, social development. Technology has the power to democratize access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and financial inclusion. Through innovative solutions like telemedicine, e-learning platforms, and mobile banking, we can bridge the gap between urban and rural communities in Africa and around the world. Three, environmental sustainability. The Fourth Industrial Revolution presents novel solutions to address pressing environmental challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. Through dual-energy technology to smart agricultural practice, Africa can embrace eco-friendly innovation to promote conservation and build resiliency against climate-related risks. Finally, number four, be able to compete globally. Global competitiveness. By embracing Fourth Industrial Revolution, Africa can position itself as a global player in the digital economy. With the youth and tech-savvy population that we have, the continent has the potential to become a hub for innovation and digital transformation, thus fostering collaboration and partnership at a global scale. So as we stand today, we are at the cusp of a transformative era. For Africa, we have to seize it. This is an opportunity that will benefit all Africans. So together, let's come and build a prosperous and inclusive future where innovation knows no bounds. Thank you so much for your commitment to shaping Africa's destiny in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Thank you so much, and let's go.