Introduction to Digital Policy (Global and African Context)

This is the first of a series of educational content on Digital Policy, with some insight on the African region. The slides are designed to provide insight to all audiences regardless of their level of understanding of the Digital Policy landscape.

Feedback is always welcome.

1. Introduction to Digital Policies

2. What are Digital Policies? Digital policy refers to decisions that govern the effective use digital tools and the promotion of opportunities offered by digitalization. These policy decisions influence each other at the national, regional and global levels. To put simply, Digital Policy deals with the policy issues associated with digital technology. These policies are shaped by governments, private sector, CSOs and international cooperations.

3. About Digital Policies Must-Knows Digital Policies are not stand-alone but are cross-cutting, influencing several sectors such as health, education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, etc They are designed to tap into the potential of the rapid advancement of digitalization. They are as well developed to respond to the risks associated with the rapid advancement of these digital tools They impact individuals and organizations, laying the foundation for good governance.

4. Some Challenges to Effective Digital Policies Lack of / inadequate specialist technical capacities in developing and implementing Digital Policies 1 3 4 2 Lack of / inadequate mandates, technical resources or funding opportunities by relevant regulatory authorities Lack of Digital sovereignty, which often manifests in technological and economical over-reliance. Lack of / inadequate data or reference cases in the development of Digital Policies, especially within the local context.

5. Some Initiatives in Africa

6. Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020 – 2030) The African Union’s An Integrated and inclusive digital society and economy in Africa that improves the quality of life of Africa’s citizens, strengthen the existing economic sector, enable its diversification and development, and ensure continental ownership with Africa as a producer and not only a consumer in the global economy To harness digital technologies and innovation to transform African societies and economies to promote Africa‘s integration, generate inclusive economic growth, stimulate job creation, break the digital divide, and eradicate poverty for the continent’s socio-economic development and ensure Africa’s ownership of modern tools of digital management. Its Vision Overall Objective

7. Digital Transformation Strategy Themes ad Pillars of the AU’s Source: Diplo.edu

8. The World Bank’s Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) Initiative Designed to support the realization of the AU’s “ Digital Transformation Strategy ” by supporting policy reforms and interventions and leveraging the public and private investment needed to build the foundations for a future-ready Africa. Covers 5 Pillars for Policy reform in Africa: Digital Infrastructure Digital Public Reforms Digital Financial Services Digital Businesses Digital Skills Countries that have benefited from this initiative include: Niger Mozambique Nigeria Uganda Ghana Burkina Faso Cameroon The Gambia Malawi Kenya Togo Sierra Leone etc Find out more on the World Bank’s webpage: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/all-africa-digital-transformation

9. Focus on Ghana

10. Supported by the World Bank The Ghana Digital Acceleration Project Covers Five (5) Components: Ensuring Inclusive and Safe Digital Transformation Modernizing Digital Government Services Support for Digital Transformation of Productive Strategic Sectors Project Management and Implementation Support Contingent Emergency Response Component Some Stats About Ghana : 24.06 million internet users in Ghana at the start of 2024 Internet penetration is 69.8% 7.40 million social media users in January 2024, representing 21.5% of population 38.95 million cellular mobile connections were active in Ghana in early 2024, representing 113.1% of population 10.39 million people in Ghana did not use the internet at the start of 2024 suggesting that 30.2 percent of the population remained offline at the beginning of the year. 7.40 million active social media user identities in Ghana in January 2024, representing 21.5% of population 38.95 million cellular mobile connections in Ghana at the start of 2024 Find out more: GDAP Find out more: Digital 2024: Ghana

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