Stakeholders Call For Urgent Shift In Digital Public Infrastructure Strategy Amid Growing Concerns

According to Ireporter Online, high-level policymakers and global as well as continental technology leaders have called for a fundamental shift in Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) strategy, urging the continent to move from being passive consumers of technology to becoming primary architects of sovereign digital systems and data-driven solutions.

Speaking at the 58th Session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of Ministers during a roundtable discussion themed “Empowering Africa’s Future: Advancing Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Centres and Sovereignty,” experts emphasized that DPI should remain the backbone of Africa’s digital transformation. However, they stressed that the continent must now progress beyond basic infrastructure toward building “intelligence systems” that enable innovation, data processing, and artificial intelligence development rooted in African realities.

Participants noted that as Africa enters an intelligence-led era, greater emphasis must be placed on nurturing local expertise in data science, computing, and AI model development to ensure that emerging technologies are aligned with regional needs. They further agreed that digital independence has become essential for economic security and national resilience across African states.

Representatives from the industry also called for policy interventions to improve access to digital tools, including the removal of import duties on mobile devices and entry-level smartphones to expand inclusion in the digital economy. At the same time, government officials from several countries underscored the importance of treating DPI as critical national infrastructure, similar to electricity, while ensuring that data classification systems protect sovereign digital assets.

There was also a strong emphasis on the need for effective public-private partnerships supported by robust cybersecurity frameworks and data protection laws. Stakeholders highlighted that Africa must transition from policy formulation to what they described as “mega execution,” focusing on the practical implementation of digital projects that directly benefit citizens.

In Botswana, officials pointed to the use of the Universal Access and Service Fund to expand digital connectivity to rural communities, while stressing that legislative bottlenecks must be reduced to accelerate service delivery and improve outcomes for citizens.

A key concern raised during the discussions was the continent’s limited data infrastructure capacity. Experts noted the urgent need to establish local “AI factories” and expand data centre capacity significantly, pointing out that Africa generates a small fraction of global data despite representing a large share of the world’s population. They argued that local hosting of data, supported by reliable energy systems, is critical to building Africa’s digital intelligence ecosystem.

To support these investments, participants called on governments to act as anchor clients by digitizing public services and generating demand for digital infrastructure. They also advocated for sovereign cloud systems and regional integration models such as data embassies to ensure that Africa retains control over its data economy.

Furthermore, it was emphasized that Africa must move away from replicating foreign digital models and instead develop systems that reflect local languages, cultures, and socio-economic conditions. Experts described the current global shift as an “age of intelligence,” urging the development of African-led AI systems that prioritize inclusivity and relevance.

The Economic Commission for Africa also highlighted the importance of strengthening national statistical systems to accurately measure the economic impact of digital transformation, warning that what cannot be measured cannot be effectively monetized or managed.

The session concluded with a call for the full implementation of the African Union’s AI strategy through actionable national frameworks, sustainable funding for data governance, and coordinated efforts to ensure that digital technologies serve as engines of sovereign economic growth across the continent.