Every African Individual Business and Government to be Digitally Enabled by 2030
ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Pan African Chamber of Commerce is a confederation of African chambers of commerce and industry, business networks and professional associations. The Chamber fosters a vibrant and interconnected business community where collaboration increases capacity, education enhances ability, and advocacy influences authority. The vision of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce is to be a catalyst in transforming the African business landscape through innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.
The Pan African Chamber of Commerce was set up in Johannesburg in 2015 to enhance continental business cooperation.
THE ROLE OF THE PACC
To promote and protect the concept of chambers of commerce as essential intermediaries between business and government, and between business and society;
Provide assistance in the establishment of chambers of commerce or the strengthening of existing chambers in Africa;
Encourage cooperation between chambers of commerce internationally to extend the range and improve the effectiveness of the services that chambers of commerce provide;
Provide a forum where chamber leaders can communicate with one another and collaborate on matters of mutual interest in realising opportunities;
Facilitate the role of African chambers of commerce as local business support agencies; and
Initiate and/or participate in chamber-based international services.
OBJECTIVES
To protect and promote the interest of trade, commerce, and industry in Africa;
To contribute to and promote Pan-African economic integration;
To organise high-profile lobbying/dialogue between SMEs, governments, and their agencies Africa-wide;
To connect people engaged in trade, commerce, and industry for concerted action to protect and promote their common interests;
To facilitate the creation of strategic alliances between small and medium-sized companies in Africa;
To protect and promote the economic interest of businesses in Africa;
To co-operate with governments and other public and private bodies to fulfil the potential of African businesses;
To promote the development of intra-African economic relations;
To provide a platform for African business communities to network and develop their business and common interests;
To create awareness of the business, commercial, industrial and professional expertise of its members; • To provide business and professional guidance or support for businesses that want to trade with their African counterparts; and
To co-operate with other African and global trade associations for the achievement of common interests.
CONVERTING HUMAN CAPITAL INTO ECONOMIC CAPITAL
The 2021-2026 work programme of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce will focus on the following priorities:
Accelerating African economic integration;
Strengthening and facilitating small, medium, and micro enterprises’ entry into global markets;
Maximising innovation and human capital potential;
Promoting liveable, sustainable cities and resilient communities.
BLACKS IN TECHNOLOGY LLC (USA)
STOMPING THE DIVIDE
Founded in 2008 and established in 2012, Blacks In Technology LLC is the largest community and media organisation that focuses on black people in the technology industry. Through community-focused activities, events and media, Blacks In Technology (BIT) is “Stomping the Divide” by establishing a blueprint for world-class technical excellence and innovation by providing resources, guidance and issuing a challenge to our members to surpass the high mark and establish new standards of global innovation.
MISSION STATEMENT
Blacks In Technology is a technology-focused community and media organisation that is dedicated to increasing the representation and participation of black people in the technology industry.
WHAT IS A LOCAL BIT CHAPTER?
A local chapter is a group of BIT members who live or work in a particular locality and who, as a matter of geographic convenience, organise themselves to promote the goals of the organisation co-operatively. It serves as a focal point for its members to share their experiences and provide resources and opportunities in a technology field. Local BIT chapters offer a number of benefits to its members including:
A Platform for Networking
One of the greatest resources for professional and personal development is to meet with colleagues in the same field. You gain new information on state-of-the-art technology, access to others’ experiences and knowledge and you will get the chance to broaden your insights.
Professional Development
Your chapter meetings and activities allow you to expand your knowledge in the technology experience and development areas. Chapters bring continuous education opportunities closer to home and provide a bridge between the annual BIT conferences. It is also possible to organise mentor programmes as a way for the members to grow in their profession.
Exchange of Services and Contributing to BIT as an Organisation
The local chapters will make it possible for you to exchange professional experiences and services, such as reviewing one another’s writing and other contributions. It will also act as a greenhouse for new ideas that can be implemented globally by the organisation, and provide BIT with potential new members to the Board of Directors.
A Creative and Stimulating Environment
Design contests, coding events, interactive talks and discussions, and brainstorming exercises are fun and stimulating ways of learning more about technology and the other members of the chapter. Local chapters often organise activities such as tours and site visits to interesting workplaces. Learning more about technology issues in these working conditions will often give you good ideas to bring back home.
VISION AND OBJECTIVES OF BLACKS IN TECHNOLOGY SOUTH AFRICA
To establish an integrated and inclusive digital society and economy in Africa that improve the quality of life of Africa’s citizens, strengthen the existing economic sector, enable its diversification and development, and ensure continental ownership with Africa as a producer and not only a consumer in the global economy.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
To harness digital technologies and innovation to transform African societies and economies to promote Africa's integration, generate inclusive economic growth, stimulate job creation, break the digital divide, and eradicate poverty for the continent’s socio-economic development and ensure Africa’s ownership of modern tools of digital management.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES TO DRIVE THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION TO PROPEL INDUSTRIALISATION IN AFRICA, CONTRIBUTE TO THE DIGITAL ECONOMY AND SUPPORT AFCFTA
Build a secured digital single market in Africa by 2030 where free movement of persons, services, and capital is ensured and individuals and businesses can seamlessly access and engage in online activities in line with Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);
Create the harmonised environment necessary to guarantee investment and financing by setting up a digital sovereignty fund in order to close the digital infrastructure gap and achieve an accessible, affordable and secure broadband, across demography, gender, and geography;
Harmonise policies, legislation, and regulations, and establish and improve digital networks and services with a view to strengthening intra-African trade, intra-investment, and capital flows, and the socio-economic integration of the continent, while maintaining a relational balance with other continents in the context of networked economies (digital economy, collaborative economy);
Implement laws, policies, and regulations required to stimulate and accelerate digital transformation for national, regional, and continental development;
Enable the coherence of existing and future digital policies and strategies at regional and national levels and mobilise effective cooperation between institutions;
Build inclusive digital skills and human capacity across the digital sciences, judiciary, and education, both technical and vocational, to lead and power digital transformation, including coding, programming, analysis, security, blockchain, machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, engineering, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology policy and regulation.
WORKING COMMITTEES
POLICY, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNICATIONS
DIGITAL ECONOMY, SMEs AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LEARNING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
BLACK WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY
BLACK YOUTH IN TECHNOLOGY
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCE MOBILISATION
PRESIDENT OF BLACKS IN TECHNOLOGY SOUTH AFRICA
Johnny Muteba founded the Pan African Chamber of Commerce in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2015. He has more than 15 years of work experience in media, entertainment, entrepreneurship, trade, social impact, and human rights. He is a global thought leader with a proven track record of leading multicultural teams and delivering outstanding results, and has an in-depth understanding of business networking, negotiations, relationships, and project management.
Johnny’s work is inspired by his responsibility to Africa. He has a very special aptitude for connecting entrepreneurial vision, creative passion, and innovative problem-solving. His enthusiasm and experience provide for compelling insights, interesting ideas, and refreshing approaches, which are so desperately needed today. Johnny offers a broad range of professional services for artists, corporations, universities, and governments. In all his endeavours, he taps into the power of creativity to innovate lives, bottom lines, organisations, and the communities that sustain us.
The Pan African Chamber of Commerce is currently active in more than 40 countries in Africa and is also in the United States and Europe.
He is a member of the World Trade Organization/International Chamber of Commerce Advisory Committee on Medium and Small Enterprises.
He is also the founder of the Women Entrepreneurship Centre, the South African Film and Television Academy, and the American Arts Chamber of Commerce.
He was a steering committee member of the South African chapter of Arterial Network from 2010 to 2014. He is currently a board member of the African Cultural Policy Network.
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