This panel discussion explores how Africa can harness its existing data infrastructure alongside the strategic development of new continental digital platforms to assert digital sovereignty amidst rising global digital trade barriers and tariffs. This provides a foundation to discuss the need to promote sovereignty across key digital ecosystems and platforms, such as the mobile app ecosystem, payment solutions, e-hauling solutions, corporate solutions, server infrastructure, social media platforms, and data sharing platforms.
The discussion directly supports the objectives of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) of ensuring that the ICT infrastructure being developed is complemented by sovereign digital capabilities. 3. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPIs) as Sovereignty Foundations (10 minutes) - Which critical African and Member State digital public infrastructure needs sovereign protection? - How can the existing DPIs be actively leveraged now to strengthen Africa's negotiating stance against unfavourable digital trade barriers? - Focus: Practical use cases and identify the data gaps. 4. Building Continental Digital Platforms (15 minutes) - Beyond data repositories, what are the priority new continental platforms (e.g., African App Stores, secure e-logistics/e-hauling platforms)? What are the essential technical, governance (balancing AU coordination & national ownership), and sustainable funding models required for their success? - Focus: Feasibility, interoperability standards, public-private partnership models. 5. Frameworks for Data Sovereignty & Resilience (15 minutes) - What specific policy and technical mechanisms can ensure collective African data governance while respecting national controls? How can Africa develop defensive strategies against extraterritorial data laws and digital protectionism? - How do integrated data systems such as the African Infrastructure Database enhance Africa's voice in global digital governance forums? - Focus: Data localization vs. flow, cybersecurity collaboration, regulatory harmonization approaches. Expected Outcomes 1. Outlining the need for a vibrant and well-coordinated digital continental platform ecosystem. 2. Key principles for interoperability and data exchange. 3. Balancing continental needs and national sovereignty.
