Advancing good data and digital policies and practices across Africa
At the Digital Impact Alliance, we recognize the vast potential and promise that Africa holds. This potential is rooted in the continent’s vibrant youth population, rapid urbanization, and accelerating technological adoption, which together create a unique opportunity for data and digital technology to drive economic growth, generate opportunity, stimulate markets, and advance inclusion.
Our focus on Africa is intentional. We believe that the continent’s diverse digital landscapes and community-driven innovations offer a unique opportunity to shape inclusive and people-centered digital ecosystems. To bring this vision to life, we work alongside countries in co-creating the policies, infrastructure, and governance needed to ensure that digital transformation is not only sustainable but also equitable, benefiting all people.
We create impact through trusted partnerships and scalable, country-led solutions.
Our work is fundamentally grounded in the unique realities of each country we collaborate with, working in close partnership to shape solutions that reflect their respective needs and priorities. We acknowledge that every country on the continent has its own distinct digital transformation journey, and we are committed to working with them as trusted partners.
Our work largely focuses on four things:
- Partnership building. We collaborate with governments, private sector players, and development partners to co-create country-led data and digital initiatives and strategies that respond to national priorities.
- Technical expertise. We provide hands-on guidance, resources, and practical tools to help countries design and implement inclusive, trusted, and sustainable digital public infrastructure (DPI) and data ecosystems.
- Policy support. We advance good data governance policy and practices that support evidence-based decision-making, uplift data rights, and build public trust.
- Research, capacity sharing, and engagement. We undertake collaborative research, facilitate peer learning across countries, and create opportunities for collaboration to inform policy, strengthen institutional capacity, and support more inclusive digital development.
Most importantly, through our country engagement efforts, we are scaling thoughtful learnings – and solutions – to the real-world problems faced by people and communities throughout Africa.
Our work across Africa spans many different facets.
Today, we work across multiple countries and initiatives, reflecting our deep commitment to unlocking the value of data for people and communities. These efforts are part of our broader ambition to advance a positive, sustainable, and inclusive digital future. Here are some key highlights of our ongoing country engagements:
In partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation, we contributed to the development of Sierra Leone’s first overarching Government Enterprise Architecture blueprint, which laid the groundwork for a more coordinated and efficient digital public sector. In 2025, we are working together to develop a new National Data Strategy that aligns with continental priorities, including the African Union Data Policy Framework. This ongoing effort aims to strengthen national data governance, promote the responsible use of data, and support regional integration.
In partnership with CcHUB and Data Science Nigeria, we are exploring how AI can be responsibly integrated with DPI. This includes supporting local innovators’ efforts to create AI-powered digital ID, payments, and data sharing solutions, while also conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments to ensure their innovations align with Nigeria’s evolving legal and regulatory frameworks. Through this work, we aim to build a shared understanding of the opportunities and risks of AI in public systems, while laying the groundwork for scalable, locally relevant solutions to societal needs.
In Ethiopia, we are partnering with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and other strategic departments and agencies to co-develop a national data governance framework that promotes responsible data sharing and improves public service delivery. And, to illustrate this framework in practice, we are designing high-impact use cases in sectors like agriculture to demonstrate how data can unlock value, drive economic growth, spur innovation, and generate meaningful social impact. This work is underpinned by targeted research and capacity sharing to ensure long-term sustainable implementation.
Learning and sharing is an essential part of the way we work.
We believe that realizing a positive digital future is driven not only by action, but also by critical reflection, knowledge exchange, and continuous learning. Across all our country engagements, we capture lessons, share practical insights, and document what works to inform the wider ecosystem. Whether through toolkits, policy briefs, or expert commentary, our goal is to equip stakeholders with the information they need to design trusted, sustainable, and inclusive digital strategies.
Some of our recent publications and reflections include:
- How DPI can boost job creation and economic growth across Africa – exploring how digital public infrastructure can drive employment opportunities and market development.
- What it will take for African HealthTech to rival FinTech – a piece on the power of local innovation in transforming Africa’s health sector.
- Digitalization has benefits but it also risks excluding stateless communities – an impact story focusing on digital inclusion and identity in East Africa.
- Why citizen trust and transparency are vital for Africa’s digital transformation – highlighting the role of citizen-facing services in building trust in government.
- Rwanda Case Study: Building an Integrated National Data Exchange – a deep dive into the technical and policy elements behind Rwanda’s successful data exchange system.
We will continue to elevate learnings from our work across Africa to inform, inspire, and shape inclusive digital development and transformation across the continent.