[kictanet] U.S. Trade and Development Agency Sub-Saharan Africa Information and Communications Technology Conference San Francisco, California ● March 19-21, 2007

[alice at apc.org]

Hi all



Anyone on the list attebnding this meeting?



U.S. Trade and Development Agency


Sub-Saharan Africa Information and Communications Technology Conference

San Francisco, California ● March 19-21, 2007


PRELIMINARY AGENDA


      Monday, March 19, 2007

      09:00 -19:30
     Registration



      09:15 - 09:45
     Briefing for Project Presenters and Commercial Service Officers (by 
Invitation)



      10:00 - 10:30
     Briefing for African Communications Ministers and Dignitaries (by 
Invitation)



      10:30 - 11:00
     Briefing for U.S. Company Participants

      11:00 - 12:30
     Pre-Conference Technology Workshops:


     Workshop 1:

      New Service Technologies and Advanced Media Content

      This workshop will explore new technologies rapidly expanding across 
Africa, such as VOIP and mobile telephony, and the advanced services that 
they can provide.
     Workshop 2:

      Extending the Grid: Wireless, Rural Rollout, and Last Mile 
Connectivity Solutions

      This workshop will examine the role of wireless technologies and other 
innovations that are extending the grid to reach rural populations.



      12:30 – 14:00
     Lunch Break



      14:00 - 15:00
     Opening Plenary and Welcome



      15:00 - 16:30
     Overview of African ICT Environment

      This session will bring together prominent industry leaders from the 
public and private sector to discuss the current African ICT Environment and 
some of the significant issues that will guide future growth in the sector.



      16:30 - 17:00
     Press Briefing



      19:00 – 20:30
     Welcome Reception







      Tuesday, March 20, 2007

      07:30 -18:00
     Registration



      07:45 - 09:00
     Continental Breakfast – Partnership Breakfast

      African ICT companies will introduce themselves giving U.S. companies 
the opportunity to learn about potential African partners.



      09:00 - 10:00


     Creating a Winning ICT Environment

      This session will focus on African countries that have successfully 
developed policies that create an enabling environment for ICT businesses 
and are attracting significant ICT investment.



      10:00 - 10:15


     Networking Break



      10:15 – 12:00


     Project and Business Opportunities 1: ICT Infrastructure Development

      African delegates will present upcoming ICT infrastructure development 
projects and business opportunities, such as the installation of fiber optic 
networks, sub-sea cables, and satellite infrastructure.



      12:00 – 13:30
     Luncheon

      USTDA Grant Signing



      13:30 - 14:30
     African IT Workforce: Availability, Development and Training

      This session will focus on how companies investing in Africa can best 
employ, empower and expand the existing IT workforce on the Continent.



      14:30 - 14:45
     Networking Break



      14:45 - 16:15
     Project and Business Opportunities 2: E-Service Initiatives

      African delegates will present upcoming E-Service projects and 
business opportunities, such as E-Government, E-Post, and E-Health 
initiatives.



      16:15 - 18:00
     Pre-scheduled One-on-One Meetings



      19:00 - 20:30
     Reception and Dinner







      Wednesday, March 21, 2007

      08:00 -18:00
     Registration



      08:15 - 09:00
     Continental Breakfast



      09:00 - 10:00


     Financing ICT Investment

      This panel discussion will present strategies for financing ICT 
investment in Africa, and provide case studies of successful transactions.



      10:00 - 10:15


     Networking Break



      10:15 – 12:00
     Project and Business Opportunities 3: Telecom Service Sector

      African delegates will present upcoming telecom service sector 
projects and business opportunities, such as the issuance of new global 
licenses, private-sector network expansion strategies, and telecom 
liberalization.



      12:00 - 14:00
     Luncheon



       14:00 - 15:00
     Technology Workshops


     Workshop 3:

      Infrastructure Development and Network Expansion

      This workshop will examine technology solutions for country, regional, 
and international access.


     Workshop 4:

      E-Services

      This workshop will focus on technology used in the implementation of 
E-Government, E-Health, and E-Education programs.

      15:00 – 15:15
     Networking Break



      15:15 – 16:15
     Government /Business Roundtable

      The roundtable will highlight observations, lessons learned, and next 
steps toward project implementation, based on discussions and information 
gained during the conference. The participants will comprise a cross-section 
of U.S. and African public and private sector conference participants.



      16:15-18:30
     Pre-scheduled One-on-One Meetings



      19:30 - 21:30
     Closing Reception




* A Technology Showcase Exhibit Area will be present for the duration of the 
Conference

** Preliminary Conference Agenda is subject to change.





Updated information on the conference agenda, confirmed delegates and 
projects can be found at www.trademeetings.com