TSC Division achievements in the financial year 2020-21 

The financial year 2020-21 saw many Commonwealth countries experiencing ICT budgetary constraints due to the aftermath of COVID-19. At the same time, there was an increasing need for the use of technology in accelerating meaningful connectivity and foster digital transformation. Throughout the year the Technical Support and Consultancy (TSC) division continued work on three major projects. These projects focused on Universal Service Fund, Assessment of Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Mobile Virtual Network Operation (MVNO) Framework.

The Secretariat completed consultancy services for the establishment of a Universal Service Fund (USF) framework for Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA). The CTO was contracted by the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) of Malawi for the project as part of the Digital Malawi Project funded by the World Bank. CTO also assisted the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) in the development of a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) regulation for Nigeria. This was done in partnership with Jaeno Digital Solution based in Abuja, Nigeria. The CTO was also of service to the Government of Afghanistan in a project that assessed its Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT). The CTO partnered with Lithuanian based firm NRD Cybersecurity and London based CENERVA to accomplish the assignment.

Partnerships & Collaborations 

In November of 2021, the CTO was among more than 20 partnering organisations that concluded a year-long review of the second edition of the ITU Guide for Developing National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS). In collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat CTO partnered in delivering online regional workshops on Preventing Terrorist Use of the Internet. The workshops took place in September and October of 2021 and focused on the South, West, and East Africa. 

At the United Nations Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2021, the CTO convened an Open Forum “Commonwealth Hard Talk for Action”. The theme for this online session was Fostering Meaningful Connectivity for Digital Transformation and was attended by Commonwealth countries and other stakeholders.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will be held in June 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, the CTO is planning a launch of a virtual Commonwealth Digital Trade Hackathon in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat. Commonwealth countries are seeking to provide universal affordable and accessible broadband connectivity and effectively adopt ICT achieving their goal of digital transformation. The hackathon will seek to build on and complement these initiatives with focus on digitisation and E-Commerce.

Digital Transformation

Over the last year, the CTO has been streamlining its operations to support its members in formulating, accelerating and successfully implementing their digital transformation programmes. The CTO’s work in the coming months will be focussed on fostering digital transformation which will require affordable universal broadband connectivity and 21st Century digital governments. The new course for the CTO will involve engaging each one of its members, analysing there needs and drafting Digital Transformation Action Plans (DTAP) that define the roadmap for CTO’s assistance and specify activity projects. Ultimately, CTO’s goal is to ensure that its member governments make effective use of digital technologies to engage with and deliver services to its citizens. The CTO Secretariat, in seeking to cultivate new revenue streams or other means of support for its work and the Technical Support and Consultancy (TSC) will continue to respond to calls and request for proposals for technical assistance across the Commonwealth.