The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) hosted the Technology Innovation Conference 2018 at the Gallagher Conference Centre on the 1st and 2nd of February 2018. Held under the theme “Building Innovative Technology Ecosystems for a Modernised City Region, the conference brought together ICT experts and decision makers from across the public and private sectors and from academia to analyse the wave of digital and technological innovation that is sweeping across the South African economy.



We live in a rapidly changing world and many countries and people are being left behind as change accelerates and technologies become more complex and pervasive. Innovation policies are being reviewed and remodelled to ensure they are responsive to emerging ICT opportunities. There is evidence that the South African economy is transitioning to knowledge intensive industries, although not at a fast-enough pace. 



During his welcome address, Premier David Makhura alluded to the fact that we as Africans need to catch up with the rest of the world in technological advancement, “Africa cannot be left behind. We must craft a collective response to the opportunities and challenges brought about by the forth industrial revolution -  a response that must, of necessity, be integrated and comprehensive, involving all stakeholders; from the public and private sectors to academia and civil society. We are delighted that you could joins us today”, said the Premier.  



Premier also urged delegates to embrace the 4th industrial revolution, not only in our country but also in our province. He said that this is particularly important given the 4th industrial revolution has the potential to drive Africa forward in a manner never seen before; by enabling innovation, spurring new businesses and business models as well as improving the delivery of public services; and providing opportunities to most of our youth that would have traditionally been in the margins. 



Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor delivered a key note address at the event. She said that, as a nation, we have to take advantage of the opportunities that advances in technology provide us, but this has to be inclusive and benefit all communities . 



Throughout the day, there were panel discussions and MEC Jacob Mamabolo was in a panel looking at Big Data, Analytics and Evidence-Based Decision Making. In his response to the discussions, MEC Mamabolo said the key drivers of the government's mandate is  to modernise, transform and reindustrialise the province. He said it was much important for government departments to deliver Infrastructure in fast and cost effective manner so as to improve the living conditions of the people, and also drive the economy.  



MEC Mamabolo also highlighted his deoartment's innvative project management dashboard known as Lutsinga Infrastructure House which he called a “data mine”. He further explained that this is the infrastructure nerve centre which gives the department an opportunity to use business intelligence to drive infrastructure delivery and to make sure that the GDID is able to meet the needs and aspirations of its clients departments and the people of the province. 



Among the guests were Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors,

Business leaders, DG, Senior Officials and Heads of State-owned Enterprises, academics, innovators and entrepreneurs and International guests. 

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