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The occasion that was hosted by Ambassador Viktor Christen, Swiss Ambassador to South Africa , took place at the Swiss Embassy. The SDC Country Director, Mrs Annamarie Minder and other high ranking officials from the Swiss Embassy, NEPAD and DBSA also attended the ceremony. Ms Christina Golino signed on behalf of DBSA and NEPAD, while Mr Viktor Christen signed on behalf of the Swiss Confederation.

Said Viktor Christen after signing , "The Swiss Government is continuing to support the NEPAD e-Africa Commission because it values the work done by NEPAD, especially in the areas of ICT development. We are looking forward, using this grant, to successful implementation of your projects for the benefit of the people of Africa ".

In the agreement, SDC will provide CHF 1,800,000 (approx. USD 1,427,915 or ZAR 11,163,579 ) three years' grant to the NEPAD e-Africa Commission to support the fulfillment of the commission's objectives.

Said Dr Henry Chasia, NEPAD e-Africa Commission Executive Deputy Chairperson, "The support will enable the commission to grow, play its coordinating role, and meet operational costs and capacity building initiatives, among others. We thank the SDC for their unreserved support to the commission in the latter's effort to impart ICT skills and bridge the digital divide of the people of Africa ".

The NEPAD e-Africa Commission was set up to manage the structured development of the ICT sector on the African continent, by developing policies and broad ICT strategies and by initiating projects.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is the international development agency within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through its Regional Program Southern Africa (RPSA) aims to contribute to poverty reduction and conflict prevention, addressing challenges which can best be tackled through a regional approach.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has also provided the initial NEPAD e-Africa Commission's start-up support since 2004 that enabled the latter to recruit staff and develop the institution.

Ends

1. For more information about SDC, visit http://www.sdc.net/
2. For more information about NEPAD e-Africa Commission, visit: http://www.eafricacommission.org/

For more information about the event, please contact:

Samuel Mikenga
NEPAD e-Africa Commission
Email: mailto:SMikenga@eafricacommission.org
Tel: +27 12 841 4523 (office)
Tel: +27 725 296 769 (mobile)
Pretoria ; South Africa

Eprem Tadesse
SDC Regional Program Southern Africa
Tel: +27 12 362 2971 (office)
E-mail: mailto:ephrem.tadesse@sdc.net
Pretoria, South Africa