Africa Day and the Organisation of African Unity
Africa Day, celebrated on May 25, commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. It symbolizes Africa's ongoing journey towards unity, independence, and development.
African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030)
- Emphasizes digital innovation as central to socio-economic progress.
- Aims to accelerate development through digital solutions.
India’s Development Diplomacy
India’s approach blends state-led financing with socially embedded solutions:
- Capacity-building through technical training and infrastructure projects.
- Inclusion of social enterprises for delivering low-cost, high-impact innovations.
Emergence of Technology-Driven Partnerships
India has transitioned to more integrated, technology-driven partnerships, building on early initiatives like the Pan-African e-Network launched in 2009.
- Examples of successful Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) include Aadhaar, UPI, CoWIN, and DIKSHA.
India-Africa Digital Partnerships
Partnerships are emerging as African governments advance national and continental digital agendas:
- In 2021, Togo collaborated with IIT-B for a national digital ID system.
- Zambia’s collaboration with IIIT-B in 2023 for the Smart Zambia Initiative.
- Similar initiatives with Namibia and Ghana for payment systems.
Comparative Advantages of India’s DPI
- Offers affordability, scalability, and public-oriented design.
- Provides a digital public good, open-source, and adaptable framework.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite opportunities, Africa faces challenges:
- World's largest digital divide due to high costs and connectivity disparities.
- Gender gap in digital access and literacy.
- Reliable energy supply as a critical bottleneck.
Potential Solutions and Progress
- 85% of African countries have national ID systems with digital capabilities.
- A new India-Africa digital compact could advance digital inclusion through mutual respect and co-development.