Innovation space programme

The digital transformation of the Federal Tax Service and its services represents a significant stage in the development of the tax system. Since its establishment, the Federal Tax Service has been actively introducing new services and improving its information technology, increasing the efficiency and transparency of tax administration.
The creation and development of digital solutions such as the automated system of the value added tax control (VAT ASC), online POS systems, personal taxpayer accounts, and a special tax regime for the self-employed has not only enabled Russia to achieve significant economic performance, but also to start developing the tax systems of foreign countries, in particular, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and others.
Digitalization of many functions of tax authorities has led to a significant reduction in the time and required resources previously spent on manual work tasks. It has also significantly increased the speed and accuracy of data processing and minimized errors.
As part of his presentation, the expert will demonstrate the path of the Federal Tax Service in the digitalization of its activities, present the electronic services in use by the tax authorities, and talk about what the Federal Tax Service of Russia has been able to achieve over the past 25 years.

The mining industry is the backbone of economic development and technology adoption in Africa. One of the important challenges for this industry is to ensure digital security throughout the entire lifecycle.
The panel discussion will cover the topics of critical information infrastructure security and digital independence against the backdrop of growing cyberattacks. Experts will discuss approaches to building industry-specific cybersecurity centres in Russia and African regions, as well as training IT sector personnel for the development and mining of mineral resources.
How to focus the tasks of sectoral centres and guarantee the protection of systemically important organizations? What experience from other industries can be used and what will be the fundamental sectoral differences in the construction of centres? How to develop a sectoral organizational and methodological framework?

Cyber threats are becoming more prevalent on the African continent, and many countries are not adequately prepared for them. Lack of awareness and resources to invest in cyber security pose a risk to national security and economic development.

The African continent is experiencing an increase in cybercrime, including identity theft, phishing, fraud, and the spread of malware. These threats can cause serious damage to individuals, businesses, and government infrastructures alike, so it is important to take measures to protect against cyber-attacks.

We often hear about hackers trying to attack a company, and very rarely about data theft by the own employees. But what is more dangerous? What internal threats are there, and how to prevent them?

Experts will discuss recent cases and loss statistics, as well as the reasons why threats from the inside are more dangerous than external ones. How does Zecurion DLP help prevent cyber threats?

Russia is one of the largest suppliers of key food products to African countries. Experts note that up to 35% of the final cost of goods is due to logistics, storage, and packaging.
Due to rapid population growth, the consumption of cereals by African countries is increasing annually, while their own agriculture does not cover the growing demand of the African continent for cereals. Over the past few years, grain trade turnover between Russia and African countries has increased several times. However, a constraint for the development and increase in the volume of grain cargo deliveries to the countries of the African region is the lack of Russia's own logistics centres on the Baltic Sea.
Technological development in transhipment and storage, year-round navigation in the port, transport accessibility of the terminal, own rolling stock, a full range of logistics services, and a subsidiary trading company – all this will ensure high productivity of cargo transportation and stable supplies of grain to Africa through the Russian port on the Baltic Sea.


The experts will discuss the example of Technotrans Group of Companies:
• What new solutions can Russia offer in grain cargo logistics?
• What makes it possible to ensure high productivity of cargo transportation and stable grain supplies to Africa through the Russian port on the Baltic Sea?
• What modern transhipment and storage equipment is used on the market?
• How does the development of the transport and logistics system affect the economic growth of the country?

The growing level of digitalization in Africa makes it possible to solve systemic problems that hinder the continent's development. Digitalization of e-Governance is becoming a promising direction: training of personnel, creation of the necessary infrastructure, and development of a legal and regulatory framework. Moreover, the digitalization of e-Governance gives a chance for advanced development of African countries based on traditions and cultures. The exchange of experience in this area will help to ensure conditions for the development and implementation in African countries of such laws, regulations, sectoral standards, strategies, and practices that would contribute to improving the quality of governance and the sustainability of public institutions.
During the discussion, participants will discuss the dynamics of digitalization of e-Governance in Africa, prospects for cooperation between Russia and Africa in this area, and mechanisms by which bilateral cooperation can be intensified. Higher School of Economics and Innopraktika will present the e-Governance Knowledge Sharing Programme.

Topics for discussion:
• Dynamics of digitalization of e-Governance in Africa;
• The role of human resources and infrastructure in the digitalization of the continent;
• Security of critical IT infrastructure;
• Challenges facing digitalization of e-Governance in Africa and Russia;
• Russian experience in the digitalization of e-Governance and how it can be taken into account and adapted by African countries;
• What African experience in the digitalization of e-Governance can be useful for Russia?
• Competence transfer and the model of continuous educational process as a promising direction of Russian–African cooperation.

Why is the Russian approach to activating, managing, and updating information security tools important? What are the peculiarities of the Russian approach to creating information security tools? How do companies guarantee the integrity of the relationship? How does cooperation with a foreign partner in the field of localization of IS tools and compliance with local legislation take place?