Damilare Oyedele’s Post

Reflecting on the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) 2024 I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the East Africa Internet Governance Forum at the Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, on September 11–12, 2024. With the theme “Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future for East Africa,” the forum was a vibrant space for sharing ideas and forging connections. Here are some key takeaways that resonated with me: One of the most eye-opening discussions revolved around the challenges of data governance in our region. Even though many East African countries have signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, we still face significant hurdles when it comes to sharing data seamlessly. For example, a bank that operates in multiple countries within the East African Community (EAC) might struggle with inconsistent data policies, making it difficult to provide efficient services across borders. This highlights an urgent need for improved interoperability in our data governance practices. I was encouraged to see the EAC taking proactive steps by implementing a Data Governance Policy Framework that aligns with its long-term vision and the EAC Digital Transformation Strategy for 2024-2025. Their commitment to harmonizing policies with broader African Union initiatives, including AfCFTA, demonstrates a strong desire to enhance regional integration and cooperation. It’s inspiring to learn that the EAC is currently leading the charge in advancing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across the continent. Efforts are underway to create regulations that promote interoperability and build a secure, interconnected digital economy. This is a crucial step toward harmonizing data governance and ensuring that our digital landscape is resilient and efficient. The potential for East Africa to emerge as the 8th largest digital economy in the world is truly exciting! With the right strategies and execution, we can harness the incredible growth in sectors such as mobile money, fintech, and e-commerce. The progress we've made in digital transformation is impressive, and it’s clear that we’re on the right path to unlocking even greater opportunities. As we gear up for the 13th edition of the Africa Internet Governance Forum 2024 (AfIGF), I’m filled with anticipation to learn more about how we can work together to shape a digital future that benefits everyone across the continent. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how we can collectively overcome challenges and seize opportunities in our digital journey! #DataGovernance #EAIGF2024 #AfCFTA #EAC #DPI #AfIGF2024

The 11th East African Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) stressed the importance of collaboration to drive digital transformation in East Africa. Hon. Kabbyanga Godfrey Baluku, Ugandan Minister of State for National Guidance, highlighted the growing potential of digital technologies, particularly mobile money services, in fostering financial inclusion. Nicodemus Nyakundi shares the key takeaways from EAIGF 2024: a call for collaborative digital transformation #EAIGF2024 Lillian Nalwoga, Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, Barrack Otieno

ICT & Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo: “This is a very important week for Africa because it gives us an opportunity to discuss the emerging issues in our operational environment in view of dynamism in the technological space and come up with clear tech roadmap.” #ConnectedAfricaSummit2024

🤝 ECNL along with 8 partner organisations have launched the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) project. #CADE seeks to strengthen the ability of #CSOs to advocate effectively in multilateral and multi-stakeholder internet governance (IG) processes. The initiative aims to encourage inclusive participation and to advance #HumanCentered policy approaches in shaping digital policies. We look forward to working with our partners: 🔵 DiploFoundation ⚪ Forus 🔵Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) ⚪ KICTANet 🔵 Sarvodaya-Fusion ⚪ SMEX 🔵 Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) ⚪ Fundación Karisma Find out more about ECNL's involvement in the project ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d7X5UbB9 See #CADE launch press release ➡️https://lnkd.in/d6qy6E8W #InternetGovernance #DigitalGovernance #InternetPolicy #TechPolicy #HumanRights #DigitalRights #FutureOfInternet

Join us tomorrow for the global launch of the Africa Technology Policy Tracker. Details below!

Thrilled to share insights from Wamkele Mene on the pivotal role of technology and digitization in driving Africa's development. The AfCFTA's Digital Trade Protocol is a game-changer, ensuring seamless data flow across borders and creating a conducive environment for innovation. Key takeaways from S.E Wamkele Mane's speech on the AfCFTA's Digital Trade Protocol: Data sovereignty: The Protocol prohibits data localization, ensuring free movement and preventing data management constraints. Digital infrastructure: A regulatory framework will support the development of robust digital infrastructure across the continent. Data protection: Strong data protection policies will safeguard personal information and foster trust in the digital economy. These critical provisions position Africa at the forefront of the digital revolution, unlocking immense potential for economic growth and development. We at #Cloud251 strive to see in One could service, one customer, one Africa. #AFTSNairobi2024 #Fintech #Ethiopian #Cloud251 #Innovation #Digital2025 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Ethiopian Communications Authority National ID Ethiopia IT Park Information Network Security Agency Touchnet Telecoms Zadara Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute Cloud 251 251 Communications & Marketing PLC Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC ICT-ET ( ICT Association Ethiopia ) Raxio Data Centres Ministry of Innovation And Technology- Ethiopia Addis Alemayehou Mussie Haile Mike Zeleke Mered B. Fikireyohannes, CM,CIPM Meried Bekele Henok Ahmed Balcha Reba Yodahe Zemichael

Thanks Pauline Watine. Most impact investment capital going into Africa falls in the venture capital bracket, and funds SMEs and startups. It is termed "impact capital" because particularly in African countries, the growth of SMEs has the potential to LITERALLY change lives. One could argue that the "return on impact alone" is enough to justify much much larger capital flows. However, capital managers/placers are paid primarily to think about risk. Firms like ThirdWay Capital exist to help investors get comfortable around the risk (all investments have risk). Ethical Apparel Africa is a prime example of a highly scalable, responsibly run company, creating real and lasting change in how clothing is manufactured (clothing we all wear). This is core reputational currency for clothing companies today, and a risk factor for those that don't get on board. They also reduce costs for clothing companies manufacturing in their facilities, due in part to significantly lower shipping costs due to Africa's proximity to the West. Along the way they are creating high quality jobs, mostly held by women, and contributing to Ghana's balance of trade and therefore strength of currency. The fundamentals of the company are so sound that if it was located anywhere else, we may not have had the privilege of investing in them due to the long line of suitors. So let's talk about real and perceived risk, let's talk about the future of African commerce, let's discuss some elephants in the room. Africa currently attracts 1% of worldwide VC capital. So, there's much to talk about. See Pauline's post below to vote. #socap24

Defining a digital strategy for Africa is a necessary but not sufficient condition… Defining a digital strategy for Africa is a necessary but not sufficient condition. It is becoming urgent to develop an African digital governance that takes into account both endogenous and exogenous economic, social and political factors. It can only be achieved in practice if African countries jointly identify all the mechanisms essential to this governance and agree on a method and tools to protect Africans and businesses from the excesses of the digital phenomenon, particularly those of artificial intelligence, which has been talked about continually and insistently over the last two years. A global systemic approach is therefore necessary to design and deploy these mechanisms concretely and effectively through different strategies according to the sectors of economic activity. These global sectoral strategies will result in business strategies in the case of African companies and different positions depending on the interest of each country. Digital sovereignty refers to the ability of a state or nation to understand, control and manage the digital phenomenon and its technological, economic, social and political dimensions within its own national space and environment. The technological dimension includes critical infrastructure, data, cybersecurity, and information flows. For Africa to achieve digital sovereignty, strong digital governance is essential. It requires its governments to make independent decisions on the use and regulation of the deployment of these digital technologies and data. This publication will be developed step by step in my next publications on this theme.

Africa Prosperity Network (APN), organisers of the annual Africa Prosperity Dialogues, in collaboration with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, is set to organise an international symposium as part of the heightened camapign for achieving payment systems interoperability across the African continent. The high-powered symposium, which will take place on 5 July 2024, in Accra, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, will be held under the theme: “Scaling Up Interoperability — Using Mobile Money to Buy & Sell Across Africa.” The interoperability challenge In today’s interconnected world, access to financial services is critical for economic growth and development. Mobile interoperability is a key component of Africa’s payment infrastructure, with the potential to significantly enhance cross-border payments across the continent. Despite regional integration efforts, market fragmentation persists, hindering economic activities.