The future of digital governance in Africa

The Africa eGovernance Conference is paving the way for digital governance transformation across the continent, serving as a vital platform to connect public and private sector leaders to the endless possibilities for civic engagement and social inclusion. CNBC Africa's Flora Limukii engaged in a compelling discussion with Adeyinka Adeyemi, the CEO of Intermarc Consulting and the convener of the Africa eGovernance Conference. Adeyemi sheds light on the critical objectives of the conference, emphasizing the need for a clear roadmap to achieve the AU Agenda for 2063. He highlights the significance of Agenda 2030 as a short-term strategy to monitor progress and propel Africa towards the envisioned future. The conference is structured to bring together heads of governments, ministers, and key stakeholders from various sectors to strategize and build a cohesive roadmap for digital governance transformation in Africa. The convergence of public and private entities is essential for the success of digital transformation, with governments leading the charge while leveraging the expertise and innovation of the private sector. Adeyemi underscores the importance of collaboration and stakeholder engagement to create an enabling environment that fosters prosperity and progress across the continent. As Africa embarks on the journey of digital transformation, data privacy and cybersecurity emerge as critical challenges. Adeyemi emphasizes the need for robust policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional mechanisms to safeguard data and mitigate cyber threats. He stresses the importance of addressing issues such as identity theft and data privacy to instill confidence in users and promote trust in government platforms. Adequate capacity building and skill development are imperative to support Africa's digital evolution. Adeyemi emphasizes the need for continuous investment in talent retention and skills development to meet the demands of e-governance and ensure a sustainable workforce for the future. The Africa eGovernance Conference is poised to drive Africa towards a digitally inclusive and prosperous future, harnessing the power of technology to uplift communities, foster innovation, and propel the continent towards its collective vision of progress and development.