Safe and secure digital public infrastructure is crucial for Africa. Here's why

Digital public infrastructure (DPI) is more than just a tool – it’s a public good that can transform societies. Countries with strong digital foundations are better equipped to navigate crises, deliver essential services and foster greater social inclusion.

According to the World Bank, a well-developed DPI can drive economic growth, reduce inequalities, and empower individuals in previously unimaginable ways.

Africa is leading the charge in advancing DPI, with significant strides being made across the continent. East Africa, for example, is the birthplace of mobile money in Africa. Home to around 320 million people, it has emerged as one of the continent’s most tech-driven regions.

M-Pesa’s success is a powerful example of the impact that public and private digital innovation can achieve. In West Africa, Nigeria’s Cash Transfer Programme – underpinned by a strong DPI – has already reached 10 million beneficiaries, underscoring the region’s commitment to leveraging digital tools for social progress.

Today, several countries are proactively investing in their digital infrastructure. For example, Rwanda’s Irembo platform offers more than 100 public services online. It has significantly streamlined service delivery, making government services more accessible and efficient.

Similarly, Uganda’s development of UGHub, a data exchange platform, has enhanced data interoperability and service delivery across government agencies.

Supported by the Digital Impact Alliance, this initiative emphasizes local innovation, stakeholder involvement and public-private partnerships. Somalia, with support from GovStack, is also digitizing government services through a building-block approach, ensuring secure and efficient administrative processes.

Demystifying DPI is key, as many countries are already building it in various forms. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, the emphasis should be on common standards and interoperability. DPI has the potential to become a shared resource, providing inclusive access to services and fostering a more connected, resilient society.

A secure and trusted DPI is critical for service delivery, social inclusion and economic growth, especially in cross-border trade and e-commerce. Trust is fundamental: when people feel confident their data is protected, they engage more in digital transactions, boosting the digital economy.

Secure DPI ensures seamless, protected cross-border transactions, which is vital for small and medium enterprises looking to expand. E-commerce platforms also rely on secure DPI to safeguard customer data and transactions, with robust measures like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) playing a pivotal role in preventing breaches and building consumer confidence.

Secure DPI is crucial for regional economic integration. Harmonizing digital standards across borders can streamline business operations, lower costs and enhance competitiveness. For instance, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to increase intra-African trade by 52.3% by removing barriers and facilitating smoother transactions.

However, building trust in DPI within the East African Community faces challenges, including historical mistrust, digital literacy gaps and privacy concerns. Overcoming these requires transparency, stronger legal frameworks, investments in digital literacy and inclusive services.

To address this, the East African Community’s Chief Innovation Officers have launched the Digital Leaders Forum East Africa on DPI to advance regional digital transformation, align national and East African Community priorities and foster ongoing collaboration among digital leaders.

Private sector partnerships are key to accelerating DPI implementation, providing the technical expertise, innovation and investment needed to enhance security and efficiency. Companies specializing in cybersecurity, data analytics and digital payments offer tailored solutions that can be rapidly scaled across regions.

For example, GovStack, backed by tech firms and international organizations, is helping countries like Somalia digitize public services with secure, modular infrastructure (BMZ Digital.Global).

In Tanzania, Vodacom’s M-Pesa has transformed financial inclusion, prompting the government to adopt e-payment systems for taxes and public services. The Tanzanian Revenue Authority has even integrated M-Pesa into its tax collection, making electronic payments easier for citizens and businesses.

Country-driven DPI development is non-linear, requiring support from local tech ecosystems to ensure sustainability. Tailoring solutions to each country’s unique needs fosters innovation and adaptability, with local tech vendors playing a crucial role in maintaining and evolving these infrastructures.

Open-source technologies, like digital public goods, offer customizable, cost-effective solutions that can be adapted locally while benefiting from global collaboration. They empower local developers and ensure DPI remains secure and innovative.

For instance, Burundi’s $92 million digital transformation programme (which involves DPI) aims to enhance secure public service delivery through a whole-of-government approach, building a streamlined and transparent e-services infrastructure.

Developing secure and inclusive DPI is a critical priority for all the whole world. Countries such as Rwanda and Uganda can show others how national efforts can lead to significant advancements in DPI. However, its full potential can only be realized through further regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and ongoing technical assistance.

The DPI Safeguards initiative, stewarded by the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology and the United Nations Development Programme, outlines high-level universal principles to guide DPI design and implementation. This multi-stakeholder process emphasizes safety, trust, and inclusivity, which are essential for countries at various stages of their digital journeys.

Similarly, global initiatives like GovStack are creating global toolboxes for the digitization of government services, enabling countries to build secure and efficient DPI.

Contributors to this article also include: Collin Mugasha, Director E-Government Services, NITA-Uganda; Björn Richter and Fabro Steibel, Co-Chairs of the Operationalisation Working Group for the DPI Safeguards initiative; and David Roos, Head of German Development Cooperation Project with East African Community.