The Digital Cooperation Organisation took centre stage at LEAP held in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The 4-day event, described as the largest global gathering for technology and digitisation developments, saw a convergence of technology giants from around the world.

It brought together about 100,000+ tech innovators and experts to discover new ideas and build new innovations.

On Day 1, many speakers took turns to outline strides made towards enhancing lives through technology.

One session was a discussion among the member states of the DCO moderated by its Secretary-General, Deemah AlYahya.

She empaneled Ministers from three countries to speak on the need for collaboration in the tech space.

They were Jordan’s Minister of Digital Economy, Ahmad Qasim Theeb Al-Hanandeh, Ghana’s Communication Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Nigeria’s minister of Communications, Prof Ali Ibrahim Pantami and Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Said Homoud Al Mawali.

The topic was ‘The road to international digital economy through innovation – bridging digital divides and breaking down barriers.”

Addressing the government officials on February 7, 2023, the DCO Secretary-General picked their thoughts on the digital sphere and ways to harness its potential.

Nigeria’s minister threw light on some two pillars that have helped the country create vibrant startups in the country.

Prof Pantami cited the two anchors - digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship - as driving forces behind the West African country’s thriving digital ecosystem which has led to about 5 unicorn startup companies.

On the day prior, the DCO held its second Annual General Meeting where two new member states, Ghana and The Gambia were welcomed to the DCO, as the organisation continues its expansion into Africa to empower nations to develop their digital economies.

The Ministers and Government Representatives of the Digital Cooperation Organization agreed to launch the DCO 2030 Roadmap to promote common interests and advocate for advanced cooperation in all aspects of the digital economy at local, regional, and global levels between countries and all other stakeholders of the digital economy, including the private sector.

At the event, Ghana’s Ursula Owusu-Ekuful demonstrated her belief in the possibility of LEAP’s commitment coupled with the DCO’s enthusiasm to greatly impact the African youth by creating opportunities in the technology space for more jobs.

She also urged the gathering to pay particular attention to females and youth in the development of modules towards improving technology literacy.

For Jordan’s Minister of Digital Economy, Ahmad Qasim Theeb Al-Hanandeh, the platform presents an avenue for his country to share their knowledge across board, and share support systems as “we concern ourselves as a hub of the bigger picture that includes everyone.”

The DCO, now made up of 13 states, brings together Ministers of Communication to propel digital prosperity by expediting the inclusive growth of the digital economy.

The hundreds of exhibition at the LEAP fair included a pavilion where DCO sponsored tech startups showcased their work to attendees and investors.