Zambia has appealed to African countries and regional economic formations to tread cautiously as they work towards realising the continent’s aspirations and adopting the fourth industrial revolution ideals.
He said this when he addressed the outreach dialogue session of the just ended tenth BRICS heads of state summit in Johannesburg today.
ZANIS reports that President Edgar Lungu said the wave of digital domains and advancement in technology as espoused by the BRICS will push many people out of employment in many developing countries.
BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which make up a grouping of emerging economies.
The President observed that the key resource for realizing Africa’s aspirations are its people, their potential and the abundant resources to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Mr. Lungu said it is therefore important to come up with policies that will help take care of challenges resulting from digital and technological developments.
“There is this need to protect our people from this effects of change such as job losses as industries adopt more sophisticated technology to enhance efficiencies,” he explained.
President Lungu said there was therefore need to find ways of balancing between technological advances, job losses and other challenges.
He has since challenged African economies to be prepared to utilize the technological advancements while mitigating any related challenges.
Mr. Lungu further noted that there is need to create more partnerships for skills development, creating sustainable knowledge, sharing platforms and providing technical and financial support for Africa’s economic transformation.
“I wish to affirm my government’s commitment to enhance collaboration with BRICS, the member states and African countries so that we ensure inclusive growth and share prosperity in the light of the fourth industrial revolution as well as in other areas of human cooperation,” he said.
President Lungu has since returned home.
He was accompanied to the BRICS summit by Foreign Affairs Minister, Joe Malanji and Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe among others.
Many other African countries and regional economic bodies that include the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), pledged to work with the BRICS, whose theme was, ‘BRICS in Africa Collaboration for inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the 4th industrial revolution’.
Earlier, Chairperson of the BRICS forum 2018, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also President of South Africa, said there was need to work together in order to improve the lives of people in member countries and other nations.
And Chinese President Xi Jinping observed that there is need for inclusive partnerships for mutual benefits adding that all countries should work together in pursuing innovations and ride on latest trends.
You forgot to advise them on declaring holidays often.
I can not understand what he is saying. It is all abstract talk.
What is killing Africa is corruption and abuse of public resources. This is closely followed by having leaders with no vision.
What a wasted trip.
Is that a reaction to defeat and resumption of tribal wars from the tribal organization and terrorist group? When will you anger issues (Mad Cow Disease) go away @HaLombe? Disgusting Childish behaviour.
People are refusing to vote.
So what? He will NEVER be president whether they vote or not.
@ 2.1
So what?
Does not matter how many contributions you made, you were, you are and you will die as 5tupid Mad Cow
19 flag RogerRamjet July 27, 2018 at 10:49 am
Where is NKombo what is the matter with you, what stops you from taking over, when it comes to boycotting in parliament you are first to protest. I’m angry very very angry indeed don’t touch me! I am burning with anger. as long as HH is on the helm,” don’t get me wrong” i like HH but, time Badala has come for a change this is not a personal to holder kind of a party everything in life has its expiry date, human beings too expires. I am so angry i love my UPND will die for it. But the way we are going God help us. Wake up and smell the dispensations of times. Congratulations Sampa
But Lungu you’ve treaded very recklessly with cholera ,poor public health+ sanitation , our heavy debt burden ,unplanned buildings in Lusaka and hanging out with dictators.
Hazaluza Hagain.
I m told after he finished speaking there was a big laughter in Hall. They were asking neighboring countries how they handle such a neighbor. Most of them said he is always visiting and due to diplomacy, they just have to deal with it. They feel sorry for Zambians. He is like a neighbor who is always at their dinner tables almost every evening.
…you must have been wanking on watchdog….
Hehehehe…..citizen , is that what you do when you read ZWD…?
It is very embarrassing to Zambians. The respect our African neighbours once gave us has been eroded by Lungu. They can not understand how a learned country, an old country like ours can end up with such amalushi as president.
I pray our neighbours and the whole world know that Lungu is not an accurate reflection of the kind hearted, loving Zambian they know Lungu is an anomaly. A freak.
@Indigo: …another wanker…you losers need to stop displaying your bad habits in public!!!
Spaka-I don’t read watchdog. I live in the real world, like installing Bwalya Sampa as mayor by voting. Not wanking on fake stories on social media and pray my candidate wins. I interact with Zambians daily and feel what our mood is like. You diasporan wankers need to get a life. Your evil spells and hatred for Edgar Lungu don’t seem to be working….
Citizen….ati I don’t read watchdog ? were you not the one quoting a story from watchdog not long ago ?
And we don’t hate Lungu but hate his pitlatrine morals, we hate the fact the man does not deny that he is a corrupt theif……
Zambian Citizen, kuti mwayatuka wiso. If you want me to tell you something that will affect your healthy, try me. Imfwe kuti twakuposha AIDS with words my friend.
Kalos: Ka.n.y.e.le uko kwine upipila abasungu, we mwana wa ndoshi!!
@ Spaka like lilo # 6.2
Not just that, he holds ECL picture in the left hand
Zambian Citizen, in your jealousy mind everyone abroad is nurse aid. My dear people a prospering and getting educated than you will ever imagine. Zambians abroad are holding positions that your all clan can never have. You rush to people’s work and when they tell you what they do, all of you villagers with manual labor jobs you think they are boasting. No sir, twalisambila ifyo you will never reach. Ala twalibombesha. Coming to you, bushe akantemba kali shani? Nga AIDS? Has it started affecting your thinking? Shipa boyi, twalasanga umuti. First we just need more of you ignorant ones to perish more. You waste too much of our time us educated and well informed ones.
To counter digitisation , Lungu gives the youth black mountain……
And Black Mountain has been drawn in. Zambians can be hypocritical.
Who was shouting for empowering our youth?
Try to remember.
By empowering we don’t mean endangering ……
Africa remaining “cautious” only means one thing; getting far behind the rest of the world. AI is around the corner and it’s impact will be world changing. What Africa needs is to quickly step up and prepare for the next tech revolution.
True ,that’s why western universities emphasize academic freedom.
Treading cautiously left Africans living in huts for ages instead of innovating new building styles and materials,never allowed us to explore other continents or invent new weapons systems or better medicine.Lungu that’s counter intuitive thingking.
IT is all words words and words. Never any deeds! Always stating the obvious. Give us practical ideas. Please.