Digital skills in Africa need to be developed to promote economic growth and development. Additionally, a conducive environment needs to be established where these skills can thrive. This involves implementing comprehensive strategies that include infrastructure, policy support, and ecosystem development. This is one of the key highlights emerging from a recent report issued by the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) (www.GABI.unglobalcompact.org/). GABI is a solution-oriented global platform connecting leaders from all over the world to drive and invest in the unstoppable opportunity of Africa’s economic growth.

The report, titled ‘GABI Conversations’, captures the essence of the UN Global Compact roundtable discussions held on the sidelines of the 2024 Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. Under the theme of ‘Digital Transformation’, this exclusive gathering in May 2024 brought together prominent African CEOs, representatives from global and African businesses, government officials, and key stakeholders in the digital sector to engage in targeted, solution-oriented conversations aimed at driving investment and growth on the African continent.

“Digital transformation is not just a pathway to economic growth but a vital component for sustainable development in Africa. By investing in infrastructure, fostering policy support, and empowering our entrepreneurs and workforce, we can create an environment where digital skills thrive. The GABI Conversations have highlighted the immense potential of digital technologies and AI for Africa, and we must continue to drive these efforts forward collaboratively. Together, we can ensure that Africa not only participates in the digital economy but leads it,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact.

Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach (http://apo-opa.co/3WzSY7j) $180 billion by 2025, and $712 billion by 2050. This growth is fueled by a vibrant innovation ecosystem in industries like mobile financial services, telemedicine, and e-commerce.

The demand for digital skills training in Africa is also expected to surge in the coming decade as jobs that previously did not require digital skills will begin to do so.

It’s estimated that some 230 million jobs across Africa will require some level of digital skills by 2030 (http://apo-opa.co/4dvOwxn). This translates to a potential for 650 million training opportunities.

The event featured a series of panels and fireside chats that delved into critical discussions on the solutions needed to drive Africa’s economic growth. Key conversations focused on bridging the digital divide by providing skills, infrastructure, finance, and other opportunities. Key topics covered included AI governance, technology and the supply chain, the digital economy, upskilling of the future workforce, data centers, and digital infrastructure, among others.

Speakers at the event included H.E. Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Former Vice President of Nigeria and Guardian of the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, H.E. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation for the Republic of Rwanda, and Mr. Alex Okosi, CEO of Google Africa representing the GABI Circle. The discussions were moderated by Dr. Acha Leke, Chairman of McKinsey Africa, and hosted by Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN Resident Coordinator to Rwanda.

Key Conversations Insights

The significance of multi-stakeholder collaboration was emphasized by participants, highlighting the essential need for cooperation between governments, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to accelerate digital transformation. This collaborative strategy is essential for overcoming obstacles and amplifying the effect of digital initiatives. Emphasis was placed on the necessity of cultivating a highly skilled workforce, described as an ‘army’ of digital professionals, to advance the digital agenda.

It was stressed that AI has immense potential for the future of Africa. However, the continent must develop the necessary infrastructure to support AI technologies.

Additionally, it was emphasized that for Africa to benefit from digital transformation, it is essential to establish data centers on the continent. The presence of data centers in only a few African countries hampers progress. It was also stated that data centers must be financially viable and sustainable to bolster digital transformation.

To ensure individuals can effectively participate in and benefit from the digital economy, the discussions stressed the critical need for comprehensive capacity-building initiatives. One of the key highlights was the call for successful entrepreneurs to establish funds dedicated to supporting emerging entrepreneurs, thereby expanding and strengthening the digital economy.

Key Recommendations

The GABI Conversations highlighted the immense potential of digital technologies and AI for transforming Africa. To unlock this potential, it is vital to bridge infrastructure gaps, cultivate collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and empower individuals and entrepreneurs. Creating an enabling environment and making strategic investments in digital infrastructure are essential steps for Africa to achieve a prosperous digital future.

The key recommendations from the conversations include GABI establishing itself as a leading advocate for AI in Africa from 2025 onwards, with a focus on promoting the necessary infrastructure for AI technologies. Additionally, it was recommended to leverage the GABI platform to build on the initiatives of the UN Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body, adapting the report’s outcomes to the specific needs of Africa.

Lastly, the recommendations emphasized the importance of using the GABI platform to engage with African governments and policymakers to advocate for the creation of legal and regulatory frameworks and policies supporting AI development.

Following the success of GABI Conversations, the UN Global Compact further engaged with business leaders at the African Union mid-year coordination meeting in Accra, Ghana. These events serve as a prelude to the 25 and 26 September 2024 ‘Unstoppable Africa’ event in New York during the UN General Assembly week. The insights and recommendations from these conversations will feed into the broader agenda of ‘Unstoppable Africa’ and inform GABI’s strategic programming and partnerships for 2025.

Under the leadership of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, GABI aims to reposition Africa as a business destination and opportunity for investment on the global stage while also contributing towards the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Interested participants can now register (http://apo-opa.co/3A5Dq3G) to request for an invitation to attend the Unstoppable Africa 2024 event in New York on 25-26 September. For more information on the Global Africa Business Initiative, please visit the website (www.GABI.unglobalcompact.org/). 

Download the GABI Conversations report here (https://apo-opa.co/4dyfAfB) and watch the highlights video of the event here (https://apo-opa.co/4dbAxwS) to explore these insights and gain actionable strategies for driving Africa’s digital transformation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Africa Business Initiative.

It is extremely regrettable that the terrorist attack occurred on a beach in Mogadishu the capital of the Federal Republic of Somalia on August 2nd (local time), resulting in a large number of casualties. Japan extends its sincere condolences to the victims and their bereaved families and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured.

Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. Japan strongly condemns all forms of terrorism.

Through opportunities such as the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, which is scheduled to be held this month, Japan will continue its efforts towards peace and stability in Somalia, in collaboration with the international community including African countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The vibrant rhythms of drums and energetic dancing filled the new classrooms of Gondokoro Primary School as the community came together to celebrate their good fortune after a recent history of educational struggles.

“Countless children were being denied the chance to go to school, recalled Editha Meling Leju, leader of the National Women Empowerment and Rehabilitation Organization, “but now they can pursue their studies and unlock their potential.”

A few years ago, boys found themselves without an adequate learning space when residents of Kango, the Gondokoro village where their school was situated, fled their homes because of insecurity. The educational facilities, in turn, were taken over by armed forces.

The turning point came in August 2022, when state authorities, the peacekeeping mission and other partners managed to convince the military to leave the premises. At that point, however, the structure was badly damaged and no longer suitable for keen learners to soak up knowledge.

“When the school was finally vacated, we saw an opportunity to help. By refurbishing the buildings, which now have four classrooms and two offices for staff, students can access education without travelling long distances,” said Kweku Bassaw, a Child Protection Officer serving with UNMISS.

And rejoice during the handover of this monument to learning, residents certainly did. Jubilant students, proud parents and local leaders showed up in large numbers to attend the grand ribbon-cutting ceremony, with one of the latter ones firing up the crowd with a resounding rallying cry.

“Let’s work together to overcome any challenges and build our nation. Together we can do it, especially with educated youth by our side,” an optimistic Swaka Ambroio Jum exclaimed.

Njoki Kinyanjui, Head of the peacekeeping mission’s Juba Field Office, was thinking along the same lines.

“We think of this as a project that can make a real impact by helping create peaceful and secure communities. By investing in education, we contribute to change in Gondokoro and, by extension, the whole country.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty.

Dr. Abdel-Atty presented the second executive report of the National Human Rights Strategy, noting that the report included all initiatives, programs, and projects implemented across the four pillars of the strategy. This strategy was developed through an entirely Egyptian initiative. It aims to promote human rights in its comprehensive sense—political, civil, economic, social, and cultural—while enhancing the rights of women, youth, children, the elderly, and people with special needs, by improving the relevant legislative and institutional frameworks, fostering a culture of human rights, and building the capacities of personnel across all state institutions.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor, Dr. Ahmed Fahmy, said the Foreign Minister confirmed that the current year has seen the completion of the establishment of human rights units within ministries and national agencies, the formation of committees to address complaints from people of special needs, and the creation of units to combat violence against women. Additionally, numerous human rights-enhancing legislations were amended and enacted, including laws related to Egyptian citizenship, the establishment of the “Differently-Abled” fund, and the National Alliance for Civil Development Work and Elderly Rights. The government has also proposed amendments to several human rights-related draft laws, and signed various cooperation protocols between national entities, national councils, international governmental organizations, and civil society organizations. These efforts aim to implement activities to spread and promote the culture of human rights and organize workshops and training sessions for administrative personnel for the same purpose.

President El-Sisi commended the efforts of the Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights and all national entities, directing them to continue their intensive work in the coming period to achieve the objectives of the National Human Rights Strategy. The President emphasized the need to promote human rights comprehensively, ensure citizens’ constitutional rights, and reinforce the principles of citizenship, rule of law, and non-discrimination. President El-Sisi gave directives for intensified efforts to overcome related challenges and continue updating institutional and legislative frameworks to ensure real and sustainable improvements. This shall take place in tandem with efforts to integrate the objectives of the National Human Rights Strategy into the state’s strategies, plans, and public policies, and continuing to implement programs aimed at raising awareness of rights and responsibilities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.