Digital Transformation

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Google have signed a landmark MoU to foster and accelerate digital transformation in Africa during the 2024 edition of the Africa Business Forum. The partnership is founded on the complementary expertise and strengths of both parties who wish to collaborate on activities to support ECA’s mandate such as digital development in Africa in line with the AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030) and Google’s Digital Sprinters Framework, and to leverage the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the benefit of Africa’s digital economy.

Meanwhile, Meta’s 2Africa subsea cable, which is 45,000km long, has reached the shores of Lagos State and Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. The deep-sea cable project will connect 32 other African countries and directly support economic development in Africa, fostering further growth of 4G and 5G and increased broadband penetration to millions of people and businesses across the continent. CEO Frédéric Schepens said this landing represents the fourth in a series of 6 landings spanning 5 countries. Among these are 3 destinations in West Africa—Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire—as well as SA. He also noted that Nigerian service providers will obtain world-class capacity in carrier-neutral data centres or open-access cable landing stations on a fair and equitable basis. The consortium behind the 2Africa subsea cable includes Meta, China Mobile International, MTN Global Connect, Orange, Vodafone, Egypt Telecom, Saudi Telecom Company, and the West Indian Ocean Cable Company. The deep-sea cable will go a long way towards transforming the region’s connectivity landscape.