Two African leaders were presented with awards at the 2008 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council High-Level Segment on Wednesday in recognition of their support for ICT development in their respective countries.

President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda both received the "Committed to Connecting the World Award."

The two leaders have devoted enormous time and resources to help extend ICT access within their nations and have promoted the benefits of these technologies to leaders and decision-makers around the world, according to ITU secretary-general Hamadoun Touré.

"Over the past five years, both Burkina Faso and Rwanda have increased their ICT penetration more than four-fold and now rank among the most exciting emerging markets for investors and ICT network and service developers," Touré said. "Through the efforts of these two leaders, ICTs are playing a critical role in supporting social and economic transformation and creating a conducive climate for rapid growth."

The ITU scribe then charged other leaders to follow suit: "I hope the success of your efforts will inspire others to follow in your footsteps and harness the power of ICTs to drive development and to help all nations achieve their MDGs," he said.

In their responses, both presidents stressed the power of ICTs to acts as catalysts for change.

"The rational use of ICTs in the service of economic, social and environmental development requires the transfer of technologies and the adoption of policies and programs aimed at helping developing countries, in particular those in Africa, at reducing the digital divide," Compaoré said.

"More ICT applications continue to improve people's lives in sectors as health, education and wealth creation generally," Kagame added, "as many firms -- informal, small, medium and large -- expand and contribute significantly to our socioeconomic transformation."