Nicholas addressed the 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Heads of State yesterday (the 31st) in Addis Ababa.  The theme of the Assembly was “Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for Development“.

After his speech, Nicholas met with President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, Vice President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana,  and Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin of Ethiopia.

In addition, OLPC was invited to participate at the Information Technologies in Africa Exhibition, jointly organized by the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, that took place in parralel with the Heads of States Summit.  The whole event ran from Jan 27 – Feb 3, and the formal sessions met during the last 4 days of the event.  OLPC was asked to participate in recognition of OLPC’s  contribtion to Africa’s devleopment.

Our reception was very warm, following on the interest at the EALA Summit during the fall.  Every national leader who touched on education spoke of the importance of connectivity and (lowercase) one laptop per child for vitalizing education.