The U.S. Commercial Service and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have joined forces to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation, according to an announcement made at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. This strategic collaboration aims to drive innovation, economic growth, and development across the continent by leveraging insights from the U.S. private sector and Africa’s vibrant markets.
The collaboration will entail a series of dialogues focusing on key themes such as adopting new technologies, improving internet access, enhancing skills, and creating a regulatory environment conducive to innovation. The goal is to explore how African governments can partner with American technology firms to stimulate economic growth and how U.S. businesses can tap into emerging markets in Africa.
Ashley Ndir, senior U.S. Commercial Liaison to the African Development Bank, highlighted the significance of this partnership in Africa’s technological advancement. The collaboration aims to bridge the insights from the U.S. private sector with Africa’s markets, ultimately driving growth and fostering innovation.
Nicholas Williams, Head of ICT Operations from the African Development Bank, emphasized that Africa has already made significant investments in digital infrastructure and policy enhancements. He expressed the institution’s commitment to further pushing Africa’s digital boundaries by building strategic relations, capitalizing on the energy of the continent’s young digital natives, and leveraging historical investments.
This collaboration builds upon the African Development Bank’s $2 billion investment in digital infrastructure, which includes initiatives such as regional and national broadband development, cultivating favorable policy environments, promoting digital literacy, and supporting innovative enterprises. These efforts have decreased the cost of internet access and created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. As an internationally recognized leader in fostering trade, the U.S. Commercial Service brings valuable experience to this partnership.
Together, the U.S. Commercial Service and the African Development Bank reaffirm their commitment to advancing digital capabilities in Africa and ensuring the continent’s full potential is realized in the digital era.
Contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org
Technical contacts:
African Development Bank:
Uyoyo Edosio
u.edosio@afdb.org
US Government Contact:
Ashley Ndir
Senior Commercial Liaison to the AfDB
Ashley.Ndir@trade.gov
About the U.S. International Trade Administration:
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) promotes U.S. export opportunities in global markets to enhance U.S. competitiveness. The U.S. Commercial Service Liaison office supports U.S. private sector engagement with the African Development Bank.
About the African Development Bank:
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has invested $2 billion in ICT projects over the past decade to boost regional and national broadband infrastructure, foster private sector investments, enhance digital skills, and support innovative enterprises. By reducing the cost of internet access and promoting digital literacy, the AfDB has created a conducive environment for businesses and policy development.
