The African continent is at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey. At a recent panel discussion, leading experts from across Africa and global organizations delved into the feasibility and application of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Africa. The conversation centered on building an African DPI blueprint to catalyze inclusive growth, regional integration, and sustainable development.
The session highlighted the need for a tailored African approach, emphasizing the unique challenges, opportunities, and aspirations that shape Africa’s digital landscape.
Adopting DPI: Context and Priorities for Africa
Waleed Hamdi, head of the Information Society Division at the African Union (AU) Commission, stressed the importance of adopting DPI in a way that aligns with Africa’s realities. He noted that the AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa aims to harness digital technologies to drive inclusive socio-economic development across all 55 member states.
Rather than starting from scratch, Africa can leapfrog by adopting global best practices while tailoring them to local contexts. He highlighted three key areas:
- Digital inclusion: Ensuring no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
- Digital infrastructure development: Building the essential foundations for digital services.
- E-governance and digital public goods: Improving public services through technology.
Hamdi also pointed out that many African regions are already advanced in adopting digital infrastructure, providing an opportunity to align efforts with international standards. This alignment can cut costs by enabling 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. DPI, he noted, is more than a collection of digital tools—it is a foundational enabler of interoperability and integration. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) can benefit from DPI by supporting cross-border data flows, payment systems, and digital identity frameworks.
Kebe underscored that domestic resource mobilization—rather than reliance on aid—should drive Africa’s development. DPI, he argued, can help curb illicit financial flows by increasing transparency and ensuring African countries have 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 building inclusive, sustainable, and secure digital economies. Gill highlighted that DPI frameworks must reflect local contexts, saying, “You cannot outsource thinking.” Africa needs to define its own drivers for DPI, from interoperability to addressing fragmented markets and weak regional trade networks.
He noted the critical need for connectivity—currently at just 36% across Africa—and underscored the importance of talent development. While lessons from other countries, like India and Estonia, offer valuable insights, the African DPI blueprint must reflect Africa’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 importance of capacity building and regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable DPI. He stressed the need to develop homegrown innovations while promoting collaboration with global partners. Seck highlighted the significance of building AI-based applications and cybersecurity centers to safeguard Africa’s digital future.
He emphasized that Africa’s youth population—expected to make up 52% of the global youth by 2052—should be at the heart of this transformation. With initiatives like the African AI Research Center in Congo-Brazzaville and the Cybersecurity Regional Center in Togo, UNECA aims to nurture the talent needed to drive digital innovation.
Experiences from African Countries
Representatives from Egypt and South Africa shared their countries’ journeys toward DPI adoption.
- Egypt: Suzanne El Akabaoui, ICT Minister Advisor on Data Governance, discussed the country’s focus on data governance and legislation, including the cybercrime and personal data protection laws. Egypt’s cloud-first policy and efforts to build a Personal Data Protection Authority aim to balance privacy and economic value while enabling 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 stressed the importance of interoperability, data-sharing frameworks, and trust-building to advance inclusive development.
Both countries highlighted challenges with skills development, noting that the rapidly evolving nature of digital technologies demands continuous upskilling. Access to reliable power and cloud infrastructure also remain key hurdles 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). Manesseh 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 their 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.”
Together, these insights 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.