ECA Hosts Virtual Consultation on Global Digital Compact

The session, aimed at gathering input from Africa's private sector, focused on the GDC’s relevance and applicability to the continent’s digital landscape.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA), hosted a virtual consultation session on the Global Digital Compact (GDC) Rev.1. The session, aimed at gathering input from Africa's private sector, focused on the GDC’s relevance and applicability to the continent’s digital landscape.

Ms. Sorene Assefa, a Digital Governance and Cybersecurity expert at the ECA, outlined the origins and framework of the Global Digital Compact, which will be adopted at the Summit of the Future in September 2024. She emphasized the ECA’s role in shaping Africa’s contributions to the GDC and discussed the upcoming roadmap for its implementation.

The discussion delved into how well Rev.1 meets Africa's needs and priorities, with a focus on translating the GDC’s principles into actionable outcomes. A recurring theme was the need for robust regulatory frameworks to support innovation and ensure that private sector priorities align with the GDC’s goals, fostering a secure and prosperous digital future for Africa.

Key recommendations from the session included:

Focus on National-Level Implementation: With many countries restructuring their ministries to include digital governance agendas, there is a critical need to ensure that the GDC effectively supports national digital objectives.

Quantify Investment-to-Infrastructure Value: Emphasize the added value of improving digital infrastructure, noting that investments in Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) can yield significant returns. Research highlighted that every dollar invested in DPIs can generate up to 32 dollars in enhanced institutional competitiveness and citizen welfare.

Sector Applications: Prioritize digital transformation in agriculture, education, and transport, which are crucial for economic growth and societal development.

Build on Existing Platforms: Utilize successful frameworks such as the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) and the Internet Governance Forums (IGFs) to streamline efforts and reduce bureaucracy.

Enhance Connectivity and Digital Inclusion: Address the digital divide by improving connectivity and promoting digital inclusion for the nearly 500 million people without digital identities.

Mactar Seck, Chief of the Technology and Innovation Section at the ECA, stressed the importance of enhancing cyber diplomacy and data governance to mitigate risks, including potential GDP losses of up to 10% due to cyber threats.

Initiated in 2019 and guided by a roadmap set by the UN Secretary-General in 2020, the GDC aims to establish shared principles for an open, safe, and secure digital ecosystem. The consultation session underscored the importance of turning these principles into practical outcomes that will drive Africa’s digital transformation and ensure a secure, inclusive digital future.