The inaugural Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit, held earlier this month in Cairo, Egypt, has spotlighted Africa as a powerhouse in the advancement of digital public infrastructure. The event, which gathered delegates from over 100 countries, was a call to action to harness safe, inclusive, and resilient DPI for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while propelling economic growth.
Over three dynamic days, world leaders, innovators, and policymakers exchanged ideas and strategies to amplify the impact of DPI. The summit culminated in a powerful outcome statement that identified seven transformative actions to shape Africa’s digital future:
- Fostering knowledge sharing and cross-border collaboration through technology exchange.
- Embedding universal safeguards to ensure DPI remains inclusive and secure.
- Championing innovative solutions for developing local DPI technologies.
- Empowering local digital ecosystems to thrive.
- Integrating green and sustainable practices into digital infrastructure development.
- Exploring innovative financial models to support scalability.
- Ensuring interoperability in digital ID and payment systems through robust frameworks and policies.
“The Global DPI Summit served as a springboard for strategic partnerships and collaborations. These efforts are pivotal in unlocking DPI’s full potential to accelerate sustainable development and enhance societal well-being,” an iAfrica report summarized.
Showcasing Success Stories
The event also provided a platform for countries leading in DPI innovation to share experiences. Notable examples included Nigeria’s biometric digital identity program, which has revolutionized access to essential services like healthcare, education, and financial inclusion. Such success stories underscored the transformative power of DPI in addressing critical development challenges.
A Collaborative Vision for Africa
Beyond individual country initiatives, the summit stressed the importance of regional cooperation to ensure Africa’s digital transformation remains inclusive and sustainable. Delegates called for forging new partnerships among African nations, international organizations, and private entities to bring technical expertise, funding, and policy support to scale DPI projects continent-wide.
The Road Ahead
Co-hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Co-Develop, the summit was backed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and the Office of the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology. As DPI gains prominence on global and regional agendas, the momentum sparked in Cairo is expected to ripple far and wide.
Mark your calendars: the second edition of the Global DPI Summit is set for 2025, returning to Egypt to build on this year’s milestones.
Africa’s digital renaissance is here, and the world is watching. How will the continent seize this moment to redefine its future?
