Africa’s Digital Transformation: Building a Blueprint for Digital Public Infrastructure

The African continent is at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey. As the world increasingly shifts towards digital solutions, Africa stands poised to harness this momentum to drive inclusive growth, regional integration, and sustainable development. A recent panel discussion featuring leading experts from across Africa and global organizations focused on the feasibility and application of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Africa, emphasizing the need for a tailored approach that reflects the continent’s unique challenges, opportunities, and aspirations.

Adopting DPI: Context and Priorities for Africa

Waleed Hamdi, head of the Information Society Division at the African Union (AU) Commission, underscored the importance of adopting DPI in a manner that aligns with Africa’s realities. The AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa aims to leverage digital technologies to foster inclusive socio-economic development across all 55 member states.

Rather than starting from scratch, Africa has the opportunity to leapfrog by adopting global best practices while customizing them to local contexts. Hamdi identified three critical areas for focus:

1. Digital Inclusion: Ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
2. Digital Infrastructure Development: Building the essential foundations for digital services.
3. E-Governance and Digital Public Goods: Enhancing public services through technology.

Hamdi also pointed out that many African regions are already advanced in adopting digital infrastructure, creating an opportunity to align efforts with international standards. This alignment can reduce costs by facilitating the sharing of resources and data across governments and the private sector.

Digital Single Market and Regional Integration

Talla KEBE from the Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (OSA) emphasized the role of DPI in cultivating a digital single market. He articulated that DPI is not merely a collection of digital tools; it serves as a foundational enabler of interoperability and integration. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) can significantly benefit from DPI by supporting cross-border data flows, payment systems, and digital identity frameworks.

Kebe argued for a shift towards domestic resource mobilization rather than reliance on aid, asserting that DPI can help curb illicit financial flows by enhancing transparency and empowering African countries to take greater control over their economic futures.

Frameworks for Inclusive Digital Cooperation

Amandeep Gill, UN Under-Secretary-General for Technology, reflected on the outcomes of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), which emphasizes the importance of building inclusive, sustainable, and secure digital economies. He stressed that DPI frameworks must be reflective of local contexts, stating, “You cannot outsource thinking.” Africa needs to define its own drivers for DPI, addressing issues such as interoperability, fragmented markets, and weak regional trade networks.

Gill highlighted the critical need for connectivity, which currently stands at just 36% across Africa, and emphasized the importance of talent development. While lessons from countries like India and Estonia provide valuable insights, the African DPI blueprint must cater to the continent’s specific needs and aspirations.

Capacity Building and Governance as Key Enablers

Mr. Mactar Seck from the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) discussed the significance of capacity building and regulatory frameworks in ensuring sustainable DPI. He emphasized the need to develop homegrown innovations while fostering collaboration with global partners. Seck highlighted the importance of building AI-based applications and cybersecurity centers to safeguard Africa’s digital future.

With Africa’s youth population projected to constitute 52% of the global youth by 2052, he stressed that this demographic should be at the heart of the digital transformation. Initiatives like the African AI Research Center in Congo-Brazzaville and the Cybersecurity Regional Center in Togo aim to nurture the talent necessary for driving digital innovation.

Experiences from African Countries

Representatives from Egypt and South Africa shared their respective journeys toward DPI adoption, illustrating the diverse approaches taken across the continent.

Egypt

Suzanne El Akabaoui, ICT Minister Advisor on Data Governance, discussed Egypt’s focus on data governance and legislation, including the establishment of cybercrime and personal data protection laws. The country’s cloud-first policy and efforts to build a Personal Data Protection Authority aim to balance privacy with economic value while facilitating cross-border data flows.

South Africa

Alfred Mmoto from the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies highlighted South Africa’s broadband policy (SA Connect), designed to bridge connectivity gaps, particularly in underserved rural areas. He emphasized the importance of interoperability, data-sharing frameworks, and trust-building to advance inclusive development.

Both countries acknowledged challenges related to skills development, noting that the rapidly evolving nature of digital technologies necessitates continuous upskilling. Access to reliable power and cloud infrastructure also remains a significant hurdle to DPI adoption.

Collaboration and Open Source Solutions

The session concluded with insights from Dr. Emmanuel C. Manasseh, Acting Regional Director for Africa at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Manasseh advocated for implementing DPI in horizontal layers to ensure scalability and interoperability. By leveraging open-source technologies, African countries can innovate more freely and avoid fragmentation in their digital efforts.

He noted that building a “DPI brewed in an African pot” requires countries to align their efforts under common standards while tailoring solutions to local needs. Collaboration among governments, the private sector, and international organizations will be critical to achieving this vision.

Final Thoughts: Building Africa’s Digital Future

As the session drew to a close, panelists shared key recommendations for countries embarking on DPI journeys:

• Amandeep Gill: “Adopt DPI safeguards to ensure safe, inclusive, and sustainable systems.”
• Talla KEBE: “Balance domestic resource mobilization with international cooperation for effective governance.”
• Mr. Mactar Seck: “Promote youth capacity-building to drive innovation and economic growth.”
• Alfred Motto: “Ensure interoperability for seamless, citizen-centered service delivery.”
• Suzanne El Akabaoui: “Educate stakeholders on the value of data governance and regulatory frameworks.”

These insights collectively emphasize the need for an African-first approach—a blueprint that addresses the continent’s unique challenges while harnessing the power of collaboration and innovation to drive digital transformation.

Africa stands at the cusp of a digital revolution. With the right policies, investments, and partnerships, DPI can unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth, enhanced governance, and regional integration, ultimately paving the way for a prosperous digital future.

The Global DPI Summit 2024, held from October 1-3 in Cairo, Egypt, brought together global leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the transformative potential of digital public infrastructure in building inclusive economic growth and public service delivery across low- and middle-income countries. The discussions and insights from this summit will be instrumental in shaping Africa’s digital landscape for years to come.