The U.S. Commercial Service and African Development Bank (USITC) launched a strategic partnership to accelerate digital transformation in Africa.
This alliance, announced at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, opens the door to discussions on how U.S. digital innovation may help African development goals.
Adopting new technology, expanding internet access, improving skills, and building an innovative regulatory environment will be discussed. Both parties will discuss how African governments may work with American technology corporations to grow their economies and how U.S. companies might capitalise on Africa’s burgeoning markets.
Read also: Huawei partners with Egypt to drive digital transformation
What they said
According to senior U.S. Commercial Liaison to the African Development Bank Ashley Ndir, “Africa’s technological growth is turning a corner. We strive to spur innovation and economic progress by connecting U.S. private sector knowledge with Africa’s booming markets. This relationship supports that mission.”
African Development Bank ICT Operations Head Nicholas Williams remarked, “Africa has invested much in infrastructure and policies to develop a pioneering digital economy. As Africa’s premier development finance institution, the African Development Bank will push Africa’s digital boundaries further by forging strategic relations, building on historical investments, and, most importantly, tapping into our young, digital native population. We appreciate U.S. private sector insights.”
AfDB efforts so far
The $2 billion African Growth Bank digital infrastructure initiative fosters regional and national broadband growth, private sector investment, digital skills scaling, and innovative companies.
The Bank enhanced business and policy conditions, internet costs, and digital literacy. The US Commercial Service’s global business skills will also help.
Africa’s digital transformation will boost growth and prosperity with this collaboration. It reaffirms the U.S. Commercial Service and African Development Bank’s commitment to digital transformation in Africa.
AFIGF identifies Cybercrime as threat to Africa’s digital transformation
About the USITC and AFDB
The ITA promotes U.S. exports to boost US competitiveness. Trade personnel work in over 100 U.S. and 80 international markets. The United States Commercial Service Liaison Office to AfDB encourages private sector engagement.
African Development Bank (AfDB) loans, grants, and equity investments for ICT projects total $2 billion over the past decade. Projects build regional and national broadband infrastructure, innovative businesses, private sector investments, and digital skills. Internet, digital literacy, business, and policy improve with AfDB.