African Leaders call for a common Digitalization Agenda

African Heads of State attending the Transform Africa Summit have called for Governments to collaborate and work with the industry to make the necessary investments for citizens to benefit from the digital economy. The summit held in Kigali, Rwanda was attended by Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali.

According to a Press Release by the AU Directorate of Information and Communication, the emergence of a common African agenda on ICTs will benefit both Africa and its global partners, said H.E. President Paul Kagame. 

On his part, H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled the digital economy blueprint for his country’s digital economy, which he said could be a guiding tool for the adoption of digital technologies for Africa’s transformation. 

While President Boubacar Keita said that innovation and digital economy will improve people’s living conditions by easing trade across borders. 

Speaking at the Summit, the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid stressed the need for coordination and collaboration. In an earlier address as the Co-Chair of the Smart Africa Steering Committee, she highlighted the process led by the AU Commission to develop a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa to guide a common, coordinated response to reap the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Africa’s socio-economic development. 

The Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa will be developed through a multistakeholder approach, taking into account the broad and diverse range of previous activities, initiatives, and mandates at the continental level and input from a wide range of stakeholders will also be sought, said Commissioner Abou-Zeid. 

“Led by Africa’s Institutions, it will be embedded in Africa’s realities and will unleash the African spirit of enterprise and creativity, to generate more homegrown digital solutions and content, while embracing what is good and relevant” she added. 

The AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid also attended the Smart Africa Board meeting to review the implementation progress of Smart Africa flagship projects. 

The AU Commissioner also participated in different sessions to highlight the various initiatives led by the AUC to implement the digital development agenda in Africa in an inclusive way while tackling issues of cybersecurity, digital skills and digital literacy. 

She held series of meetings with key stakeholders including with African Ministers, heads of private sector and financial institutions and development partners attending this flagship event.