Africa aims to develop a single digital market by 2030
African nations are intensifying their efforts to build a single digital market, expand AI infrastructure and deepen regional tech partnerships, as reported by Africa News Agency (ANA) on November 17th.Â
The aim of building a single digital market is led by the Smart Africa alliance, a group of more than 40 member states formed in 2013 to accelerate the continent’s digital growth.
It aims to change Africa’s role from being a consumer of foreign technologies to a producer with its own standards, data systems and innovation pipelines. One of the key focuses is now on AI infrastructure and cross-border digital projects.Â
According to a Business Insider Africa report, Ralph Oyini, Director of Digital Transformation at Smart Africa, said, “Africa has the money, the investors, the startups, and the innovation — but too often, these ecosystems operate in silos. SANIA is here to bring them together and connect them.” SANIA is a platform designed to connect investors, startups and institutions across the continent.Â
Smart Africa also revealed partnerships in areas such as digital payments, skills training, cybersecurity and governance. These include deals with Visa to expand digital government services and financial inclusion, and YouthConnekt Africa to support youth entrepreneurship.
Additionally, Smart Africa signed deals with Ascend Digital Solutions, AFTLD, the Gambia (SADA) and women political leaders, emphasising that these moves support its goal of creating a continent-wide digital economy by 2030.
Smart Africa also approved the establishment of the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council, which will manage AI governance, datasets, regulation and talent pipelines. A related cybersecurity plan developed around training, standards and new institutions was also introduced.
Lacina KonĂ©, CEO of Smart Africa, said, “We are not in a race. We are not catching up. Africa is redefining the finish line on its own terms.” Â
Although Smart Africa’s initiatives focus on the digital sector, wider industrial development is also taking shape across the continent. For example, Africa’s biggest aircraft engine assembly plant is expected to be established in Morocco.Â
However, it is known that accessing these services is a significant challenge, as only 37% of Africans had internet access in 2023, according to the Foresight Africa 2025–2030 report.Â
Moreover, Africa holds less than 1 percent of global data-centre capacity, and skilled professionals continue to move abroad.Â
Despite these setbacks, officials argued that momentum is shifting. Thousands of young people have already been trained under the Smart Africa Digital Academy, and more countries are joining regional hubs.
ANA, Business Insider Africa, Maghrebi.org
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