As the Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit in Cairo approaches this October, the spotlight must be firmly placed on Africas glaring digital connectivity challenges and the need for interoperable society-wide digital systems. With only 36% internet penetration, the continent is lagging alarmingly behind other regions. The lack of connectivity and adequate interoperability is reflected in the low levels of intra-African trade, which currently accounts for only about 14% while trade between the continent and the European Union accounts for a staggering 75%.
Today, society-wide digital systems, such as digital identities, data exchange and payment systems are not only the backbone for inclusive growth and regional economic integration but the foundation for inclusion. In Africa, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to create the largest integrated market in the world through the vision of a One African Market. If fully implemented, this could increase incomes by 9% by 2035 and lift 50 million people out of poverty, and digital public infrastructure (DPI) is a key component to making this possible.
However, to unlock this potential, we must address key challenges such as the lack of digital connectivity, especially in rural areas, and the need for interoperable legal, regulatory and technical frameworks that ensure that DPI such as digital identity and payment systems, can be used across the entire continent.
Encouragingly, progress is already afoot at both policy and practical levels. The recently adopted AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol marks a critical moment in Africas digital transformation journey. This protocol is more than a policy document; it is a strategic legal framework designed to promote interoperability of digital trade regulations across borders, making it easier for technology-driven innovation and commerce to flourish. A key element of this effort is the facilitation of cross-border digital payments, which can unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, enabling seamless financial transactions across African borders. However, the success of the protocol fundamentally depends on political commitment and our collective efforts to build out the DPI that will support its implementation. Without robust DPI - comprising reliable internet connectivity, secure data governance frameworks, interoperable digital systems, and widespread digital literacy - the ambitious goals of the protocol will remain out of reach for most Africans.
We already see concrete steps across the continent to build the necessary infrastructure. Initiatives like the 50-in-5 , which includes commitments from countries such as Togo, Senegal, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and Malawi, exemplify regional efforts to share best practices and technologies that support DPI implementation. At the national level, countries like Uganda , Ghana , and Zambia have embarked on ambitious digital projects aimed at enhancing digital inclusion and governance. Moreover, partnership is critical to laying the foundation for seamless, secure, and interoperable digital payment systems that support not only trade but also financial inclusion across Africa.
