Join us for a discussion with Thelma Efua Quaye (Smart Africa) and Anna Sophie Herken (GIZ) on the achievements, challenges, and opportunities for multilateral governance of digital transformation in Africa. This panel discussion is hosted by the Centre for Digital Governance in collaboration with Smart Africa and GIZ.
Access to high-speed broadband and affordable connectivity is one of the most important factors driving the growth of the Digital Economy in many African countries. The continent has made astonishing progress in this area over the last years. At the same time, although sub-Saharan Africa has the highest user growth rates in the world, only a good third (34%) of the approximately 1.3 billion people in the region regularly use the Internet. Beyond the lack of infrastructure, the relatively high cost of access to the Internet means that it remains unaffordable for lower income populations, some of whom stand to benefit the most from digital technologies and better connectivity. Better regulation is one of the most important cornerstones for states to confidently address the challenges of digital transformation and take full advantage of the opportunities. Good policy making can also lead to price reductions and thus facilitate the participation of the population in digital transformation.
Smart Africa is a key partner of the German Development Cooperation. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) and its implementing agency GIZ collaborate closely with Smart Africa since 2019 to drive a human-centric digital transformation both on the African and European continent.
During this panel, we will introduce Smart Africa, an alliance of 39 member states whose aim is to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and making Africa a knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of information and communications technologies (ICT). The initiative aims to create a digital single market on the African continent by 2030. We will also discuss achievements and challenges, opportunities and promising directions for ICT regulation and policymaking on the continent. Attendees will also learn about how Smart Africa builds policymakers’ skills for drafting inclusive, gender-sensitive, and climate-smart ICT regulations.
Cornelia Woll, President at the Hertie School, did a welcome address, and Leslie Mills, MPP candidate at the Hertie School, moderated the event.
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