African stakeholders at the WSIS+20 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting in New York have agreed to establish an Africa Digital Economy Accelerator Initiative aimed at deepening cooperation, expanding inclusion, and accelerating digital development across the continent.
Beyond the announcement, participants outlined a practical roadmap focused on translating years of digital policy dialogue into measurable action. Central to the plan is the push for stronger collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society, and technical communities to unlock investment and innovation across Africa’s digital economy.
The initiative is designed to support countries in addressing long-standing challenges such as inadequate digital infrastructure, limited broadband access, low digital skills, and uneven adoption of technology between urban and rural communities. Stakeholders stressed that these gaps continue to slow economic growth and widen social inequality across the continent.
To tackle these issues, the framework encourages African governments to adopt flexible regulatory approaches that allow new technologies and business models to be tested safely before full deployment. Participants also highlighted the importance of inclusive digital policies that are informed by local realities and shaped through sustained engagement with communities most affected by the digital divide.
The meeting further agreed on the need for improved coordination among African countries on digital governance issues, including data protection, cross-border digital trade, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Regular platforms for dialogue and knowledge sharing are expected to help align national efforts with continental and global digital priorities.
Special attention was given to strengthening Africa’s capacity to develop and deploy digital public infrastructure that supports essential services such as education, healthcare, identity systems, and financial inclusion. Stakeholders noted that scalable, interoperable digital systems could significantly boost productivity and service delivery if implemented responsibly.
Participants also stressed the importance of monitoring progress and sharing best practices to ensure accountability and sustained momentum. They agreed that continuous evaluation would be necessary to measure the impact of the accelerator initiative and adapt strategies as digital technologies evolve.
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