Cina Lawson

On the 17th of September 2013, she was appointed Minister of Postal Affairs and Digital Economy. She has held this position ever since.[1]

Cina Lawson
Cina Lawson in 2016
Togolese Minister of Post, Digital Economy and Technological Innovation
Assumed office
17 September 2013
PresidentFaure Essozimna Gnassingbé
Prime MinisterKomi Sélom Klassou
Togolese Minister of Post and Digital Economy
Prime MinisterKwesi Ahoomey-Zunu
Togolese Minister of Post and Telecommunications
In office
28 May 2010 – 16 September 2013
PresidentFaure Essozimna Gnassingbé
Prime MinisterGilbert Houngbo
Personal details
NationalityTogolese
Alma materInstitut d'études politiques de Paris
John F. Kennedy School of Government

Cina Lawson is a Togolese politician.

In March 2012, she was named "young global leader" by the World Economic Forum in Davos. She was also featured in Forbes's top 20 "Youngest power women in Africa" two times, in 2012 and in 2014.[2]

In May 2013, the news outlet Jeune Afrique ranked her as one of the 25 most influential women for business in Africa.[3]

In 2016, she was featured in the top 55 African Doers by Tropics magazine, among other actors which contribute to the continent's dynamism.

In January 2019, Cina Lawson received the award for Most Innovative Person of the year at the Napoléons, the innovative communications network for leading players in business, media and culture based in France.[4]

In May 2019, Cina Lawson was honoured by her alma mater and received the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Public Service Award.[5] The award was given in recognition of her public service record as a minister in Togo, notably, her contribution to the development of the country's digital economy and ICT sector.[6] She is the first African woman political figure to receive the award since it was established in 1997.[7][8]

Education

In 1996, Cina Lawson graduated from the Institut d’études politiques de Paris after two years of studies in the economic and financial program. She then obtained a masters of advanced studies in Applied Economics. She also holds a degree in History from the University Paris X.[9]

Cina Lawson then continued her studies in the United States, where she received a master in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.[10]

Career

Lawson began her career in the communication and information technology department of the World Bank, in Washington DC.[11] There, she advised governments on various matters such as telecom policies, regulatory reforms or privatization.

She also worked as consultant for Alcatel-Lucent in Paris. From 2006 to 2010, she worked for France Telecom North America (Orange Group) in their business development department.[12][13]

On the 28th of May 2010, she was appointed Minister of Post and Telecommunications of the Togolese Republic by Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo. She kept the position under the Kwesi Ahoomey-Zunu administration.[14]

In 2013, her portfolio expands to include digital affairs. This change denotes the will of the Togolese government to use information and communications technologies as a tool for economic development. As of 2019, her portfolio expanded again to include technological innovation. She is thus the Minister of Post, Digital Economy and Technological Innovation under the administration of Prime Minister Komi Sélom Klassou.[15]

While in office, Cina Lawson contributed to the development of Togo's digital administration,[16] to the integration of ICT in the education system,[17] and to the reduction of the digital divide.[18] She also initiated reforms to strengthen competition[19][20] in the telecommunications sector. Licenses were issued in 2017 for two new Internet service providers, TEOLIS SA and Group Vivendi Africa and two more were extended to include 4G in June 2018 to the mobile operators, Moov Togo[21] and Togo Cellulaire.[22][23]

She also strived to modernize the regulatory framework surrounding electronic communications (law n° 2012-18 12/12/2012),[24] electronic transactions (law n° 2017-007 22/06/2017),[25] setting up an environment that fosters cyber commerce and facilitates the digitization of administrative proceeding which ensures the establishment of basic legal principles. In 2019, she led the passing of a new data protection law in Togo as well as the privatisation of the historic telecommunications operator, Togocom.

Achievements

E-government

Cina Lawson has worked to install a fiber optic network of 250 km in Lomé, connecting buildings which harbors public administrations, hospitals and university while giving them access to high speed internet.[26] She also initiated several projects, including the creation of a professional email platform for government officials and of a unique internet portal[27] for the administration: www.togo.tg.[28] This portal combines the websites of the President (www.presidence.gouv.tg), the minister, the official journal (www.jo.gouv.tg[29]) and the digitalized public services (www.service-public.gouv.tg[30]).

To better connect small localities and the central government, Cina Lawson launched the "E-Village" initiative,[31][32] which provided more than 4300 local leaders with a professional mobile phone, a sim card and phone credit. This was completed by the creation of an innovative platform which collects, analyses and treats information.

Education

The initiative Wifi Campus, launched in January 2018 enabled the deployment of a fiber optic network over university campuses and teaching hospitals in Lomé and Kara, in order to better connect them.

She also carried out in June 2018 the initiative "Environnement Numérique de Travail" in all technical and scientific high schools.[33][34] Educational resources were updated and a platform was set up for teachers, students and the whole staff to access information and educational services (online courses, timetable, homework, etc.).[35]

Digital and financial inclusion

Regarding agriculture, the project Agri-PME directed by Cina Lawson has since 2015 led to the identification of vulnerable farmers and to the digitization of the annual payment of their subsidies for fertilizers.[36][37]

Cina Lawson contributed ton the presidential initiative CIZO, launched in November 2017, which sought to expand access to electricity through the provision of individual solar kits with basic electric equipment (lamps, radio, TV). The payment is done through a pay as you go system.[38]

Under her influence, the Togolese Post Society launched in May 2018 the ECO CCP account, which is the first saving account that is free, available on mobile phone and remunerated within the UEMOA.[39][40]

Restructuring and privatisation of Togocom

Cina Lawson is also committed to the strengthening of the sector's governance, through the establishment of news specialized independent institutions, and the National Agency on the Radiofrequency spectrum (ANSR).[41]

In July 2017, she initiated the restructuring of Togo's historic fixed telecommunications operator Togo Telecom and its mobile arm Togocel. This reorganisation led to sweeping changes in the internal structure of the operators and their fusion into a single holding, Togocom Group.[42][43] In 2018, Cina Lawson led the opening of Togocom Group to private investment paving the way for the privatisation of the state-run operators.[44]

In November 2019, the Togolese Government announced the completion of privatisation with the acceptance of a bid by Agou Holding to acquire a 51% stake in Togocom Group. As the new majority stakeholder, Agou Holding, a consortium composed of Madagascar's Axian Group and Africa-focused private equity firm Emerging Capital Partners (ECP), plans to revamp Togocom's service delivery with a $214 million investment over the next seven years. The closing of the deal left Togocom with an enterprise value of over $353 million.[45][46] In a press statement following the announcement, Cina Lawson stated that the deal "marks a crucial step in the government's digital roadmap."[47]

Youth Entrepreneurship

In 2013, Cina Lawson launches, with Claude Grunitzky, the Togo Youth Entrepreneur Forum.[48]

In order to foster computer programming among young population, she launched a national contest of app development called Appstogo.[49] In this perspective, Togo was also represented at the event Africa Code Week.[50]

Cybersecurity

In an interview with La Tribune in March 2019, Cina Lawson stressed the need to train more Togolese experts in cybersecurity.[51] During the 7th edition of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Cina Lawson announced the launch of a new cybersecurity institution for Togo called Cyber Defense Africa which will be the first in Africa to combine two cyber security functions: National Security Operation Centre (SOC) and Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT).[52]

The joint-venture between the Government of Togo and Asseco Data Systems, a leading Polish IT firm, will provide state-of-the-art cybersecurity to citizens, public and private organisations in Togo and the sub-region. It will also provide the necessary training to create a body of African cybersecurity experts.[52]

BLOC Fund

As a keen supporter of disruptive technologies and approaches to impact investment and financial inclusion, Cina Lawson was pivotal to the establishment of the BLOC (Bamboo Leapfrogging On Cryptocurrency) Fund with Bamboo Capital Partners and Moeda Seeds Bank, which she announced during the 7th Africa CEO Forum in March 2019.[53]

BLOC Fund is a pioneering impact fund in Africa and the first of its kind in the world to use blended finance to exclusively invest in companies that use new technologies, particularly blockchain, to solve social and economic challenges for the benefit of low- and middle-income populations in developing countries. Cina has stated that Togo invested into the fund “to foster the development of tech companies, which are focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” and “to support local tech entrepreneurs to grow their businesses by providing them capital and tech expertise.[54][55]

References
  1. "Cina Lawson Archives - African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO)". African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO). Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  2. "« The 20 Youngest Power Women In Africa 2012 » : un grand merci à Forbes !". Cina Lawson (in French). 2012-12-14. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  3. "Les 25 femmes les plus influentes du business en Afrique – JeuneAfrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  4. https://www.lejdd.fr/Economie/les-napoleons-recompensent-leurs-champions-de-linnovation-3837773
  5. "Kennedy School Announces 2019 Alumni Award Winners". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  6. "A Vision in Togo: Cina Lawson MPP 2001 uses technology to transform financial inclusion and internet access in this West African nation". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  7. "Alumni Awards". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  8. First, Togo. "Cina Lawson, first female African political figure to receive the Harvard Kennedy School Award". www.togofirst.com. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  9. "Sciences Po Alumni Magazine, Madame Télécoms". Archived from the original on 11 October 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  10. "World Economic Forum : Cina Lawson".
  11. "Cina Lawson Archives - African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO)". African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO). Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  12. "Cina Lawson". LinkedIn. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  13. "Cina Lawson et Natalie Meyenn : Bringing Cellular Phone Service to Rural Areas, Public policy for the Private Sector, Note No. 205, Mars 2000" (PDF).
  14. "Cina Lawson Archives - African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO)". African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  15. republicoftogo.com. "Un nouveau gouvernement au Togo". République Togolaise (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  16. republicoftogo.com. "Le Togo se lance dans l'administration électronique". République Togolaise (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  17. User, Super. "TOGOTOPNEWS - Wifi campus : la réalité d'une utilité inestimable qui se vit depuis trois mois". Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  18. "Le Monde.fr - Actualité à la Une". Le Monde.fr (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  19. "Télécoms : deux nouveaux fournisseurs d'accès à internet au Togo – JeuneAfrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  20. "Internet : avec le lancement de Canalbox, la concurrence s'emballe au Togo – JeuneAfrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  21. TOGO, MOOV. "Internet mobile haut débit : Moov Togo lance la 4G". Agence Ecofin (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  22. "Le Togo lance les négociations pour passer à la 4G". La Tribune (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  23. "SIGNATURE DE LICENCE GOUVERNEMENT TOGOLAIS TOGOCEL/MOOV". Television Togolaise (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  24. "JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA REPUBLIQUE TOGOLAISE" (PDF). 17 December 2012.
  25. "Togo - Transactions électroniques" (PDF). 22 June 2017.
  26. dijit.net. "Togo embarks on wide-scale project to deploy fibre to 500 administrative centres | Balancing Act - Africa". www.balancingact-africa.com. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  27. "Togo.gouv.tg/fr, l'officiel au bout du clic - L-FRII". L-FRII (in French). 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  28. "Bienvenue sur Portail Pays de la République Togolaise | Portail Pays de la République Togolaise". www.togo.tg (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  29. "JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA REPUBLIQUE TOGOLAISE : LOIS ET REGLEMENTS". www.jo.gouv.tg (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  30. "Service Public : | Le site de l'administration togolaise". www.service-public.gouv.tg (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  31. "Les têtes d'affiches de Denise Epoté - Cina Lawson - Adjim Danngar - Augustin Vounoudougou". RFI (in French). 2017-02-19. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  32. "Togo : " e-village " ou la technologie au service de l'Administration territoriale – JeuneAfrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  33. First, Togo. "Togo : Minister of digital economy launches new programme to revolutionize educational system". Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  34. Rendez-vous, Africa (2018-07-03). "Le Togo veut intégrer les TIC dans l'éducation - AFRICA RENDEZ VOUS - L'Afrique, par des Africains". AFRICA RENDEZ VOUS - L'Afrique, par des Africains. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  35. "L'Environnement numérique de Travail (ENT) rendu opérationnel au Lycée d'Enseignement Technique et Professionnel d'Adidogomé-Lomé - L-FRII". L-FRII (in French). 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  36. "AfDB's e-wallet project in Togo – a rousing success with farmers". African Development Bank. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  37. "Au Togo, un portemonnaie électronique, un projet de la BAD, remporte un franc succès auprès des agriculteurs". Banque africaine de développement (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  38. "Togo: Accord avec BBOXX pour le déploiement de 300.000 systèmes solaires domestiques". Intellivoire (in French). 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  39. First, Togo. "Togo to launch a mobile bank account, requiring "no administrative procedures"". Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  40. "Togo : Faure Gnassingbé ouvre son compte d'épargne mobile ECO CPP et lance le service - Digital Business Africa". Digital Business Africa (in French). 2018-05-23. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  41. Eyram, Denise. "Cina Lawson: 'Faire des TIC un bien de grande consommation' - Togo Breaking News". www.togobreakingnews.info (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  42. Ecofin, Agence. "Togo: Cina Lawson announces "restructuring" of Togo Telecom and Togocel". Agence Ecofin (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  43. Rendez-vous, Africa (2017-07-14). "Togocel et Togotelecom deviennent Togocom - AFRICA RENDEZ VOUS - L'Afrique, par des Africains". AFRICA RENDEZ VOUS - L'Afrique, par des Africains. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  44. TOBIAS, Souleyman. "Togo : le parlement acte la privatisation du Groupe TOGOCOM | CIO MAG" (in French). Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  45. "Axian, ECP to acquire majority stake in Togo state telco". Reuters. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  46. First, Togo. "Agou Holding Consortium becomes majority stakeholder of TogoCom Consortium". www.togofirst.com. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  47. Rédaction (2019-11-07). "Des investisseurs internationaux de premier plan au capital de Togocom". Financial Afrik (in French). Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  48. "Forum des jeunes entrepreneurs 2016 : Inscrivez-vous maintenant". Tech228 (in French). 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  49. News, Togo Breaking. "Les meilleures applications primées par AppsTogo - Togo Breaking News". togobreakingnews.info (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  50. "Cina Lawson : " Le code informatique est une véritable langue vivante " – JeuneAfrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  51. "Cina Lawson : "Nous devons former plus de Togolais en matière de cybersécurité"". La Tribune (in French). Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  52. "Asseco is creating national cyber security center for Togo". asseco.com. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  53. "Bamboo Capital Partners, Government of Togo and Moeda Seeds Bank launch first-of-its-kind blended finance technology impact fund with €100 million target". Bamboo Capital Partners. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  54. "Bamboo Finance, Moeda and the government of Togo launch a tech-driven impact fund for tech-driven companies". ImpactAlpha. 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  55. "Press release: Bamboo Capital Partners, Government of Togo and Moeda Seeds Bank launch first-of-its-kind blended finance technology impact fund with €100 million target" (pdf). Bamboo Capital Partners. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
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