Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ To accelerate digital transformation in Africa, Google and the African Development Bank (ADB) have joined forces. The “Letter of Intent” was signed by the two sides on Friday during the Global Africa Business Initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, formally establishing the agreement.
Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, claims that the agreement highlights a common commitment to utilizing emerging technologies, expanding and enhancing infrastructure, and enhancing talent and skills across the continent.
Both parties, he claimed, had a track record of promoting digital progress. The African Development Bank has put $1.9 billion into initiatives over the last ten years that emphasize the growth of broadband infrastructure, favorable legislative and regulatory frameworks, digital skills, and cutting-edge technology firms.
“Our transition from a 2% telephony penetration in 1998 to the 4G, 5G, and AI eras today represents significant advancement. Our goal is to catalyze entrepreneurs to create jobs and provide creative solutions because 70% of sub-Saharan Africans are under the age of 30,” said Adesina following the signing ceremony.
With significant investments in the Seacom cable, a significant submarine telecommunications cable, Google has long been a partner in the economic development and digital transformation of Africa.
Speaking at the event was Dr. James Manyika, Senior Vice President of Research, Technology, and Society at Google. He said that the most significant revolution with cutting-edge technologies like AI is still to come. In collaboration with the African Development Bank, Google will provide technical support to help entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses by helping them digitize their firms, secure financing, master digital marketing, and advance the development of the private sector.
He added that if Africa wants to take advantage of this chance, create for everyone, and make sure no one is left behind, cooperation will be crucial. He said that the company is thrilled to work in partnership with the African Development Bank to achieve shred commitment.
One of the biggest revolutionary prospects of the present time is digitalization. However, too few people are actually able to benefit from it. Despite advancements, just 36% of Africans had access to broadband internet in 2022. Although there are now more mobile internet users on the continent, the quality of the services offered and the extent of the broadband infrastructure still lag behind other areas.
Additionally, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Africa has one of the largest digital gender gaps in the world, with the greatest difference between men and women internet users (35% versus 24% in 2020). In all nations, there are still disparities in the accessibility of high-quality digital services, especially in more rural and underdeveloped subregions.
The significant usage gap in Africa is made worse by a number of problems, including severe financial constraints, a dearth of locally relevant content, and a lack of basic digital awareness and skills. To close the gap, a sizable investment is needed to create solid frameworks for the digital economy, as well as comprehensive changes to create enabling legislative and regulatory frameworks that promote investment and productive competition.
In support of the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2020–2030, the World Bank Group announced the Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) program in 2019. DE4A aims to ensure that every person, organization, and government in Africa is digitally enabled by 2030.
The initiative supports a comprehensive strategy for creating a thriving, secure, and inclusive digital economy in Africa, for combining the construction of connectivity infrastructure, the development of digital platforms for market access and financial inclusion, the development of new markets for entrepreneurs, and the development of skills. It also supports the development of regulatory frameworks that address new risks, such as those related to competition, privacy, and security.
