Article Type: Expert comment

Today, digital public infrastructure (DPI) is emerging as a powerful tool to drive inclusion and social and economic transformation across Africa. However, while corporations and governments dominate much of the conversation, civil society remains a crucial but sidelined voice in the DPI conversation. In this expert comment, we explore the key benefits that increased CSO participation can provide for DPI development, and how to make it a reality.

When working in harmony, digital public infrastructure (DPI) and artificial intelligence (AI) can drive remarkable progress: creating new employment opportunities, improving healthcare delivery, and strengthening climate resilience. Yet, good digital technology alone doesn’t automatically drive inclusion or positive outcomes for people. These technologies must be designed, deployed, and governed with people at the center. In this expert comment, we dive into six key questions that must be answered to ensure AI and DPI are leveraged – in tandem – to drive a positive digital future.

In the context of digital public infrastructure, design systems unify how public services look, feel, and function. By standardizing and streamlining digital building blocks—everything from form fields to security warnings—governments can offer faster, clearer, and more user-friendly experiences. Read this piece to learn more about the importance of effective design systems in DPI-enabled systems and services.

Africa’s rapid digitalisation has created both opportunities and risks, and without inclusive governance models, there is a real risk that marginalised communities could be left behind. This is why civil society organizations are crucial, as they play an important role in shaping the region’s data governance landscape. Their contributions span policy advocacy, watchdog functions, community empowerment, and digital literacy initiatives. Read more about their efforts in this expert comment.

Payments are the lifeblood of an economy. Measuring the impact of a payment system gives critical insight into the health of an economy. This piece looks at why policy makers need to measure the impact of Payment Systems, what they need to measure, and how they can implement measurement systems.