The Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT) is an African led organization committed to providing a platform for dialogue, assessment and initiation of digital development projects. The Center was established with the vision- 'a digitally empowered Africa, led by Africans, where research and innovation drive sustainable development and inclusive prosperity. And a mission statement ‘To drive digital transformation in Africa through advocacy, capacity building, and partnerships; empowering communities, businesses, and governments for inclusive prosperity.’
West African countries stand at a pivotal moment in shaping their digital future. As governments invest in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—including digital ID systems, digital payments, and data-sharing platforms—they face a unique opportunity to build systems that are inclusive, sovereign, and interoperable. However, achieving this vision requires a careful balance between creating context-specific solutions and adopting proven global standards, technologies, and practices—from regional leaders like Kenya and South Africa to international models such as Estonia, Brazil, and Singapore. The imperative is clear: to build DPI and data governance frameworks that are globally interoperable yet deeply rooted in local realities. Rather than reinventing the wheel, West African countries—individually and through ECOWAS—can adapt and localise existing frameworks to reflect the region’s values, socio-economic dynamics, and institutional contexts. Indigenous knowledge systems must play a central role in this effort. These culturally embedded frameworks offer powerful models for community consent, data stewardship, and participatory governance, providing insights into trust and access that conventional approaches often overlook. This panel will examine how West African nations can leverage open standards, align with global digital cooperation initiatives, and incorporate socio-economic realities in their digital strategies. It will explore how localisation can complement global efforts such as WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), the SDGs 2030, and other continental and regional collaborations—including the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.
Key Objectives Showcase how localisation aligns with global DPI and data governance frameworks. Provide legislative and policy examples from across Africa. Identify paths toward cross-border harmonization and regional interoperability. Engage participants in co-creating insights and sharing lived experiences.
Expected Outcomes Clearer understanding of how DPI can be both local and globally aligned. Policy and legislative examples for harmonisation and scale. Integration of indigenous governance into digital cooperation. Strengthened networks for regional collaboration.
