Firms to Empower Digital Cities Throughout Africa
ALPHARETTA, Ga. and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Nov. 10, 2005 — Civitium, the market-leading consulting firm for municipal broadband and Digital City initiatives in the U.S., and BMI-TechKnowledge (BMI-T), the leading independent Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Research Company in Africa, have formed a strategic alliance to combine the firms’ expertise and empower Digital Cities throughout Africa.
Digital Cities are defined as communities where ICTs are applied to promote economic development, digital inclusion and more efficient government. Political and community leaders throughout Africa are embracing this vision and applying technology for community benefit.
"BMI-T’s alliance with Civitium is an important milestone in the emerging Digital Cities market, providing, for the first time, market-leading consulting, industry research, publications and conferences and event to benefit communities in the region," Denis Smit, Managing Director BMI-T says.
The announcement immediately follows the firms’ collaboration on the Digital Cities Forum 2005, the first event of its kind in Africa. The forum, hosted by BMI-T and held November 3-4, 2005 at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, brought together more than 200 leaders from all levels of government and private industry to discuss a wide range of Digital City issues – from policy, to legal and regulatory, to technology, to public-private cooperation.
"Civitium is excited to be working with BMI-T, an experienced organization that has already established itself as the clear leader in Africa’s emerging Digital Cities market," says Greg Richardson, Civitium’s founder and Managing Partner.
The firms will collaborate on the joint delivery of consulting services, market and industry research, publications and conferences and events, all with the goal of empowering communities throughout Africa to transform into Digital Cities.
About Civitium
Civitium, LLC is the market-leading consulting firm for municipal broadband and Digital City initiatives in the U.S. The firm has provided advisory services on strategy, policy, business planning, RFP development, stakeholder assessment and technology issues for the largest and most high-profile municipal wireless initiatives in the country.
About BMI-T
BMI-T was launched in 1990 as South Africa’s first independent ICT Research Company. In 1993, IDC (International Data Corporation), the global leader in IT Industry Research, appointed BMI-T as their Africa representative. As an IDC representative, BMI-T has full access to IDC’s formidable ICT research resources globally and is fully integrated into the global expertise centers and analyst pool of over 750 analysts.
CONTACTS:
Greg Richardson
Civitium, LLC
(678) 595-3085
Denis Smit
BMI-TechKnowledge Group
+27 11 540 8002
