The digital transformation of government services could play a key role in delivering sustainable and inclusive development in Africa. COVID-19 demonstrated how governments that had developed scalable digital public infrastructure (DPI), such as e-ID and e-payments systems, were better able to respond to the pandemic.

Moving forward, the roll-out of interoperable e-ID and other DPI could provide building blocks for the African Continental Free Trade Area. Yet, in order to protect citizens’ essential data from abuses, it will be vital that these systems are well-governed and have high levels of cybersecurity. Our panellists will discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by the digital transformation of government services in Africa, and suggest how the EU might support that process.

The event will take place at the Estonian Permanent Representation to the EU (Rue Guimard 11, 1040 Bruxelles), and will also be accessible online. A light lunch will be served from 12:15.

Speakers
 

• Aristide Adjinacou, Director, Information Systems and Digitalization Division, Agency of Information Systems and Digital (ASIN), Benin​​​​​​​
• Marit Lani, Programme Director of Smart Governance, eGovernance Academy​​​​​​​
• Dr Ralph Oyini Mbouna, Director of Digital Transformation and Services, Smart Africa​​​​​​​
• Anri van der Spuy, PhD researcher at London School of Economics, Fellow at Research ICT Africa, Consultant

Moderator: Chloe Teevan, Head Digital Economy and Governance, ECDPM

Registration

Please register here for IN-PERSON participation, OR register here for ONLINE participation.