OSIANE 2023 : Seventh edition promotes progress through innovation in Central Africa
« Let’s innovate to progress » is the theme chosen by the association “Promotion, Réflexion et Analyse sur les Techniques d’Information et de la Communication”, initiator of the exhibition, for this year’s edition that will be held from April 25 to 29 at the “Palais des Congrès” in the country’s capital, Brazzaville.
By Yousra Gouja, in Paris
Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, will host, From April 25 to 29, 2023, the 7th edition of the Central African International Exhibition on Tech and Innovation (OSIANE), called « Kumissa », on the theme « Let’s innovate to progress ». Through conferences and workshops, this edition will showcase the progress made by Congo and other Central African countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad) and reward the best innovations in the Congo Basin.
Structured in the form of a planet, the exhibition’s activities will be presented in the form of villages: Viso (startup village), Vito (tech village), etc. For 2023, the organizing team expects 130 exhibitors and around 15,600 visitors. Ruth Yoa, an active volunteer member of PRATIC, points out that « in its field of action, PRATIC allows the different digital players to meet. Every year there are more and more requests from entrepreneurs. For 2023, we are launching the Charter of the Respect Zone to be in line with business ethics ».
« OSIANE has enabled us to target our offer in the Congo”
The organizing committee will be meeting digital ecosystem players in Paris and Brussels for a roadshow to present the program of this new edition, which is more international in scope, with committed European partners. On this occasion, Vivendi Africa Group and E-Futura signed new agreements. « OSIANE has allowed us to target our offer in the Congo. There are two of us in the fiber in the home market. But it is thanks to competition that the market is developing. We have the same technology as if we were operating in the Paris suburbs, » says Pierre Roy-Constantin, Secretary General (SG) of the Vivendi Africa group. For his part, Jean-Pierre de la Hausse de la Louvière, president of E-futura, says: « The world does not belong to Gafam. We have to think about uses. We will not define your standards. We can only offer you our experience. »
At the end of the tour, the organizers hope to balance the growing needs of users and the services or products offered by the players in the digital ecosystem. Luc Missidimbazi, President of PRATIC, says in conclusion: « When PRATIC was created in 2008, I didn’t know anyone. OSIANE was possible only with the support of our authorities, who encouraged us. Today, OSIANE is signing the agreement to join the Créa consortium led by Alexandre Leforestier. «
OSIANE, a platform for exchange and networking existing since 2017, has been initiated by PRATIC and its official sponsor, the Regulatory Agency for Posts and Electronic Communications (ARPCE). Each year, it brings together governments, institutions, public and private companies, NGOs and visitors. Over the years, this exhibition has become a reference in the field of information and communication technologies in Central Africa. The development of the New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT) sector is a major axis of the diversification strategy of the Congolese economy, which wants to be at the forefront.
This objective has been reaffirmed through the launch in 2019 of a national strategy for the development of the Congo’s digital economy called « Congo Digital 2025 ». According to the International Telecommunications Union, only 9.7% of Congolese had daily access to the Internet in 2018, relegating Congo to 174th place. However, there are still many obstacles to the expansion of the digital sector and the integration of ICTs into the Congolese economic fabric is still limited by multiple endogenous factors (data, electrical services, skills, etc.).
