In an era where technology is rapidly transforming societies and economies, Africa stands at a critical juncture in its digital journey. With a young, vibrant population and increasing internet connectivity, Africa has the potential to harness digital transformation for growth. At the heart of this evolution is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) which could redefine how African citizens access essential services and participate in the global economy. However, as promising as this digital revolution may be, it presents significant risks and unanswered questions. How can Africa ensure these infrastructures are inclusive, secure, and protective of digital rights? By investing in resilient DPI, Africa has the potential to leapfrog traditional development barriers. Still, this promise will only be realised if digital inclusion and rights are placed at the core of the continent’s digital strategy. Ensuring that Africa’s DPI is inclusive, rights-based, and secure is crucial to building a resilient digital future that benefits all. This article explores how Africa’s DPI initiatives can pave the way for a more equitable, connected, and prosperous future while addressing the risks accompanying such rapid digitalisation. Drawing insights from the African Union’s Digital Compact, ongoing initiatives across the continent, and recent discussions on DPI, this article explores how Africa can create cohesive, inclusive, and rights-respecting DPI systems.

Why Digital Public Infrastructure Matters for Africa

Digital Public Infrastructure refers to foundational digital systems that support a wide range of public services. DPIs are the foundational enablers of digital services provided for citizens. These include digital identity systems, payment platforms, data exchange frameworks, and broadband networks. For Africa, DPI isn’t just another term; it is a pathway to socio-economic development and an enabler of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The agenda seeks to achieve a 50 percent increase in Internet connectivity and ICT penetration and contribution to real GDP in absolute terms to double 2013 figures. The agenda defines its key transformational outcomes: Improvements in living standards, transformed, inclusive, and sustainable economies, an integrated Africa, empowered children, women, and youth, and a well-governed, peaceful, and cultural-centric Africa in a global context. 

Also, the African Digital Compact emphasises the transformative potential of DPI in achieving the continent’s development ambitions. It underscores the need for coordinated efforts to build resilient, inclusive, and secure digital infrastructure to drive sustainable development, economic growth, and social well-being across Africa.

Opportunities for Digital Inclusion Through DPI

Africa’s DPI initiatives present several opportunities to advance digital inclusion and ensure that all citizens can benefit from digital transformation:

Expanding Access to Digital Services: DPIs have the potential to expand internet access through community internet hubs and affordable broadband that ensures more people can access essential services, education, and economic opportunities online. According to recent data, internet penetration in Africa has grown from 28 percent in 2018 to over 45 percent in 2023, with ongoing projects aiming to reach 60 percent by 2025. Project Loon in Kenya is a great example of such an initiative. It leverages high-altitude balloons to provide internet connectivity to remote and under-served areas. Since its deployment, internet penetration in rural Kenya has reportedly increased by 25 percent, enabling access to essential services such as education and healthcare. The 2Africa project, led by Meta (Facebook), is one of the largest undersea cable systems designed to boost internet access across the continent. Other major projects include the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) and the West Africa Cable System (WACS), which aim to improve national and cross-border connectivity. By prioritising the development of affordable and accessible digital infrastructure, African nations can bridge the digital divide, especially in rural and under-served areas. This would lead to expanding internet access through community internet hubs and affordable broadband, ensuring that more people can access essential services, education, and economic opportunities online.

Enhancing Financial Inclusion: Leveraging DPI, such as digital identity systems (e.g., Nigeria’s National Identity Number) and digital payment platforms, can significantly improve financial inclusion across Africa. This will empower millions currently excluded from formal financial systems, enabling them to participate in the digital economy. For example, M-Pesa, a mobile money platform, has revolutionised financial inclusion by providing banking services to millions without access to traditional banks. As of 2023, M-Pesa had over 50 million active users across Africa, facilitating seamless transactions and financial services. Data shows financial inclusion has risen by 30 percent in regions where M-Pesa is active.

Promoting Digital Literacy and Skills Development: Investing in digital literacy programs, particularly in underserved communities, ensures everyone can effectively use digital services. These programs will reduce the digital divide, promote inclusion, and equip people with the skills to thrive in a digital economy. Paradigm Initiative’s LIFE Legacy programme in 10 African countries epitomises this. Rwanda’s Smart Africa Initiative is another great example – Rwanda launched comprehensive digital literacy programmes targeting youth and educators. The initiative includes distributing tablets in schools and establishing coding boot camps, aiming to equip over 100,000 young Africans with digital skills by 2025. Current data indicates a 40 percent increase in digital skills proficiency among participants. 

Advocating for Digital Rights: DPI systems must be designed with strong protections for digital rights, including privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information. Safeguarding digital rights will build public trust in digital platforms and encourage broader participation in the digital economy. DPI must put people at its centre. It must prioritise the people’s rights. Without this, DPIs can’t lead to real development. For example, a survey shows that 70 percent of South African internet users feel more secure using digital services after the implementation of South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which sets stringent guidelines for data protection, ensuring that individuals’ digital rights are safeguarded. This legislation has fostered greater public trust in digital platforms, encouraging broader participation in the digital economy. 

Data Centers and Digital Sovereignty: There remains a critical need for localised data centres in Africa to support national sovereignty over data. Due to inadequate infrastructure, many countries still store information on private, foreign servers. This challenge has led to increased interest in developing sovereign cloud solutions. One example is the effort in Sierra Leone, where initiatives are underway to integrate national digital identity systems with more secure data storage systems.​

Challenges and Risks

While DPI offers significant benefits, it also comes with challenges that must be addressed to avoid digital rights abuses and exacerbate inequalities and exclusion. Data breaches and misuse risk is a major concern, especially as DPI systems handle sensitive personal information. For instance, the recent cyber-attack on Ghana’s National Identification Authority highlighted vulnerabilities in data security frameworks. Also, the reliance on foreign technologies and infrastructure could expose African nations to geopolitical risks. The dependence on Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei for 5G infrastructure in several African countries underscores the need for local alternatives. In addition, a lack of standardisation across DPI systems could hinder their effectiveness and limit cross-border cooperation. Efforts by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) to harmonise digital standards are ongoing but require more robust implementation. 

Looking ahead

The African Digital Compact calls for robust strategies to mitigate these risks, including developing continent-wide data protection regulations, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and promoting open standards and interoperability. A cohesive approach to DPI in Africa requires collaboration across multiple sectors and levels of governance. Key steps include;

Establishing strong policy and regulatory frameworks. Nigeria introduced a Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (DEPS) – which provides a comprehensive framework for developing digital infrastructure, data protection, and cybersecurity. It is a model for other African nations seeking to create robust DPI policies. The Zambian National Digital Transformation Strategy (NDTS) is also a useful example. It is a comprehensive framework aimed at leveraging digital technologies to drive socio-economic development. The strategy outlines key focus areas, including enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, fostering innovation, and ensuring cybersecurity.

Collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society is essential for building robust DPI systems. Public-private partnerships can drive innovation, share resources, and ensure that DPI initiatives are sustainable and scalable. As an example, South Africa’s Broadband Infraco collaborates with private sector players to expand broadband infrastructure, ensuring sustainable and scalable DPI initiatives. This partnership has facilitated the deployment of high-speed internet in over 200 towns and cities.

Africa must engage in regional and global initiatives to harmonise DPI standards and practices. This will facilitate cross-border digital trade and ensure African voices are heard in global digital governance. The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – includes provisions for digital trade and cross-border data flows, promoting harmonised DPI standards and facilitating digital commerce across the continent.

Developing the skills and knowledge needed to manage and protect DPI systems is critical. This includes training for government officials, cybersecurity professionals, and civil society. Ghana’s Cybersecurity Skills Initiative, which trains government officials and cybersecurity professionals, enhances the nation’s ability to manage and protect DPI systems. Since the program’s inception, this has led to a 50 percent reduction in cyber incidents in Ghana.

Conclusion

As Africa continues to embrace digital transformation, developing Digital Public Infrastructure offers a unique opportunity to drive inclusion, protect rights, and promote sustainable development. By focusing on these core principles and drawing inspiration from successful initiatives like M-Pesa, Paradigm Initiative’s LIFE Legacy Programme, Project Loon, and Rwanda’s Smart Africa, Africa can build a digital future that benefits all its citizens, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. The African Digital Compact provides a strategic blueprint for achieving these goals, emphasising the need for unity, collaboration, and a rights-based approach to digitalisation. By working together, African nations can harness the power of digital technologies to create a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient digital economy for the continent.

By Adeboye Adegoke, Senior Manager, Grants and Programmes Strategy