Top ICT tenders: DCDT eyes 2050 digital economy vision

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has issued a tender seeking a service provider to create an ICT indicators, modelling and plausible scenarios system for South Africa's digital economy vision by 2050. The DCDT highlights connectivity as the foundation of the digital economy, noting it can bring productivity improvements and new economic opportunities for individuals, businesses and governments.

The department emphasizes government's role in fostering an environment conducive to economic growth through infrastructure investments and innovative policies. It states government must promote digital skills development and inclusion to ensure all citizens can meaningfully participate in the digital economy. The tender references the Digital Economy Masterplan, identifying four key processes shaping the sector: physical technology production, digital platforms, digitally traded services, and transformative technologies like AI, cloud computing and IoT.

The DCDT explains ICT indicators modelling and plausible scenarios are crucial to anticipate shifts, mitigate risks and identify opportunities for the country's digital economy vision leading up to 2030. The department is currently aligning with stakeholders such as Stats SA and ICASA to refine key digital economy indicators that will guide this vision.

A compulsory, in-person briefing is scheduled for 14 August before submissions close at 11am on 26 August.