Dr. Ralph Oyini Mbouna

Attracting investment in digital transformation in Africa is crucial for the continent's economic development and its integration into the global economy. Here are some strategies that African governments and businesses can use to attract investment: Create a conducive business environment: Governments can create a favourable business environment by implementing policies and regulations that encourage investment in the digital sector. This can include measures such as tax incentives, streamlined regulatory processes, and policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship. Build digital infrastructure: African governments can invest in building digital infrastructure such as broadband networks, data centers, and cloud computing facilities. This can help to improve connectivity and support the growth of digital businesses. Leverage public-private partnerships: Governments can partner with private sector companies to invest in digital infrastructure and services. Public-private partnerships can help to mobilize private sector investment and expertise, while also providing governments with the resources needed to develop the digital sector. Promote digital skills development: African governments can invest in developing digital skills among their citizens. This can help to create a pool of skilled workers that can support the growth of the digital sector and attract investment from companies looking for a skilled workforce. Showcase success stories: African businesses and entrepreneurs that have achieved success in the digital sector can help to attract investment by showcasing their successes and demonstrating the potential of the continent's digital market. Governments can also highlight success stories through events such as investment forums and tech conferences.

In summary, attracting investment in digital transformation in Africa requires a multifaceted approach that involves creating a favourable business environment, investing in digital infrastructure, leveraging public-private partnerships, promoting digital skills development, and showcasing success stories. By taking these steps, African governments and businesses can attract the investment needed to drive the continent's digital transformation and promote social and economic development.

The Smart Africa Trust Alliance is a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering trust and promoting secure and responsible digital transformation in Africa. The alliance brings together various stakeholders, including governments, private sector organizations, civil society, and academia, to collectively address the challenges and opportunities associated with digitalization and innovation on the African continent, In collaboration with Estonia the ministerial breakfast session will see the launch of SATA in from of collaborative ministers

Digital identity, digital taxation and cross-border data flows are critical enablers of digital trade. Digital identities will enhance ubiquitous connectivity across the continent and develop safe and secure interoperable digital identities that are mutually recognised. Digital identities can support countries to fully harness their digital potential and exploit the benefits of digitalisation for the continent's development. Digital taxes are an important source of revenue generation and a way to protect local businesses or industries. However, customs duties may hurt consumers, and increase prices for digital trade products. Cross-border transfer of data is essential for conducting businesses and the production and delivery of products and services. However, African countries’ legal and regulatory framework for digital identity, cross-border data flows and digital taxation is fragmented. Countries are regulating these issues in silos and can consequently undermine the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area to establish a single market with free movement of goods, services and capital. The Protocol on Digital Trade aims to establish a single digital market. The envisaged AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade provides an opportunity for African countries to establish a harmonised continental legal framework for digital identity, cross-border data flows and digital taxation.