USTDA Supports ICT in South Africa with U.S. Technologies
September 19, 2017
(USTDA)
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The U.S. Trade and
Development Agency has awarded a grant to the
City of Cape Town to fund a feasibility study
that will assess the viability of proposed
investments in five key information and
communications technology (ICT) areas: enabling
infrastructure; intelligent transportation
systems; safety and security; digital
inclusion; and digital literacy.
These investments will increase internet access
as well as improve the efficiency of business
processes. The study will recommend methods for
using ICT to further enhance the City of Cape
Town's economically-enabling environment,
leading to increased productivity and greater
digital inclusion. Follow-on projects are
expected to support ICT investments totaling
over $100 million, creating substantial new
export opportunities for U.S. companies.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership
with the City of Cape Town,” said Lida Fitts,
Regional Director for sub-Saharan Africa at
USTDA. “This grant will also promote safety
and security, and streamline public
transportation and other municipal
services.”
Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate
Services, Councillor Raelene Arendse, stated,
“the Organisational Development and
Transformation Plan (ODTP) prioritizes the use
of digital technology to transform the City and
make Cape Town the most digitally connected
city in Africa.” “USTDA’s support will go
a long way in helping us to achieve the
principles of the ODTP and leverage technology
to transform the lives of our residents.”
The Consul General of the U.S. Consulate
General in Cape Town, Virginia Blaser, praised
the partnership, noting “This partnership is
one of many in which the U.S. government is
working with the City of Cape Town and other
municipalities to promote increased security,
trade and investment opportunities, and access
to education and technology, which we believe
will lead to greater prosperity and security
for both of our nations.”
California-based Global Resources, a consulting
firm that works exclusively with developing and
emerging nations in the ICT, cybersecurity,
infrastructure, and utilities fields, will
conduct the study. As a parallel effort with
Cape Town and other South African
municipalities, USTDA will be hosting a South
Africa Smart Cities Reverse Trade Mission (RTM)
in March 2018. The RTM will highlight U.S.
smart city initiatives and technologies that
can support the implementation of related
projects in South Africa.
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