The African Union (AU) has issued a rallying call for member states to accelerate efforts that harmonize digital governance, warning that fragmented policies are hindering the continent’s integration into the global digital economy. Speaking at the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, AU Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi said Africa “stands at the crossroads of its digital destiny.” She maintained that the AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030) aims to create an African Digital Single Market by 2030, but noted that divergent national policies remain a major obstacle. “Fragmentation of frameworks and standards continues to create barriers instead of bridges,” said Haddadi, adding, “The AU is addressing this by developing a comprehensive architecture that harmonizes our continental approach.” According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 25 percent of Africans use the internet, compared with 80 percent in the United States and 77 percent in Europe. Bottlenecks include high data costs, limited access to electricity, and unaffordable devices. This, Haddadi argued, risks excluding the continent’s young population—more than 60 percent of whom are under 25—from opportunities in innovation, trade, and employment. Alex Apau Dadey, Executive Chairman of Ghana’s KGL Group, echoed similar sentiments, citing that governments cannot drive digital transformation on their own. “I have always maintained that governments do not create wealth—the private sector does. Sadly, private enterprises that drive innovation are too often treated as afterthoughts. They must be placed at the center of national strategies.” Samaila Zubairu, President of the Africa Finance Corporation, pointed to the AFC’s support for MainOne, a major broadband infrastructure project, as an example of Africa’s capacity to build world-class assets. “The digital economy is not optional for Africa—it is vital,” Zubairu said. “With the right governance and capital, Africa can leapfrog into the digital future. The challenge now is to scale these successes across the continent.” Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, warned that without lawmakers trained in digital governance, inclusivity and accountability would remain weak. Charumbira also announced plans for regular training sessions and the creation of a “Common Parliamentary Toolkit on AI Governance.” Hannah Awuku, Forward Africa founder, said the symposium is an opportune moment to push capital mobilization, cross-border collaboration, and homegrown innovation. She added that Africa’s digital future “will depend on how fast governments and partners move from statements to systems that deliver for citizens.”
