Social Enterprise

The CIO Forum is a social enterprise seeking to contribute to the development of human capital in Africa through the advancement of information systems and technology which will promote entrepreneurship, skills and job opportunities in a global knowledge economy.

Our aim is to identify needs and gaps that are not being addressed in the public or private sector which relates to the development of information systems and technology locally and the broader region of Africa in a global context. Of particular interest are areas for developing knowledge intensive opportunities, skills and capacity involving software skills, knowledge management, business and enterprise management and entrepreneurship and social innovation.

Agenda Set by Chief Information Officers

The CIO Forum's strategic agenda, programs and initiatives are developed through one-on-one engagements with Chief Information Officers (CIOs), forums and research collaborations.

South Africa and the African continent holds potential and there is a role for CIO thought leadership. Systems, people and processes enable enterprises. CIOs are well aware that human capital is key in a knowledge economy and that skills matter. It takes leadership to build capacity and to architect Africa as a global enterprise.

CIOs have demanding jobs and are often pre-occupied with the challenges and opportunities they face within the enterprises and organizations that they serve. Many are eager to mentor and build future capacity and recognize the potential of what can be achieved. By working with the CIO Forum, Chief Information Officers and ICT leaders can help identify and set the agenda for further conversations that lead to action.

Collaboration and Partnership

We work in collaboration with academic and industry partners. Our partners provide support and funding for our programs. We do not seek funding for overheads but for well defined programs, projects and pilots. We also rely on a network of small to medium organisations and entrepreneurs who give of their time and effort to participate in mentorships and engage in discussions.

Outcomes Based Program Management

The CIO Forum initiatives of programs, events and forums are funded through outcomes based program management and involves the following:

• Strategic Engagement: the identification of needs and gaps
• Formulation: architecture of programs and projects with defined outcomes, targets and indicators
• Implementation: collaboration with partners to fund and implement projects and initiatives
• Review: monitoring, evaluation and review & reporting of targets, indicators and outcomes

From Conversation to Action

The CIO Forum was established at the end of 2007 as an academic CIO Forum to bridge the gap between academia and industry. It began as a series of cafe conversations and building communities through social networks. After a call to action, the CIO Forum became engaged in local programs and initiatives which led to programs and partnerships with industry and commerce.