07 - 05 - 25
Accelerating Digital Transformation in Africa: Insights from the B20 SA Taskforce
As global leaders convene for the G20 Financial Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment Conference in Sun City from May 6 to 9, the B20 SA Digital Transformation Taskforce recently unveiled an ambitious vision to enhance inclusive digital transformation across Africa. During a high-level panel at the United Nations Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA) Sustainability Leadership Conference, taskforce representatives discussed key policy priorities, barriers to progress, and Africas leadership in digital innovation.
The panel featured Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, chair of the B20 SA Taskforce on Digital Transformation; Xolile Mabhongo, G20 SA Sous Sherpa; Cas Coovadia, B20 SA Sherpa; and Busi Mavuso, CEO of BLSA. Mahanyele-Dabengwa emphasized the vital role of the digital economy in shaping future economic opportunities. She stated that as the global economy becomes increasingly digital, it is essential to implement policies that foster innovation and ensure broad participation.
The taskforce identified four key priorities:
1. Connectivity: With nearly a third of the global population still offline, the taskforce advocates for investments in connectivity infrastructure and affordable digital devices, particularly in underserved regions and among women.
2. Skills Development: The digital revolution is projected to create 170 million new jobs by 2030 while displacing 92 million. The taskforce prioritizes both basic and advanced digital literacy to prepare individuals for a rapidly changing job market.
3. AI Ethics: As artificial intelligence transforms industries, the taskforce calls for governance frameworks that promote fairness, accountability, and transparency to ensure inclusive and responsible AI-driven growth.
4. Actionability: The taskforce is committed to driving real-world impact through partnerships and policy action focused on implementation.
Addressing the challenges hindering digital progress, Mahanyele-Dabengwa pointed out that outdated legislation is a significant constraint. She noted that the pace of technological evolution far exceeds existing legal frameworks, citing South Africa’s Electronic Communications Act as an example that does not accommodate emerging technologies like cloud computing.
She also highlighted delays in spectrum allocation and insufficient support for community networks as obstacles to digital inclusion. Financing digital infrastructure, especially in rural and under-resourced areas, remains a pressing concern. Mahanyele-Dabengwa called for a pro-investment environment characterized by policy certainty and reduced entry barriers for investors. She stressed the need to embed digital literacy in school curricula and reform post-school training systems, criticizing South Africas Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) as fragmented and misaligned with the digital economy's demands.
Despite these challenges, Mahanyele-Dabengwa noted that Africa is already setting global benchmarks in several digital domains, including mobile money innovation and interoperable payment systems. Countries like South Africa and Nigeria are advancing digital identity systems and mobile government services, improving access to public services.
Looking ahead, Mahanyele-Dabengwa outlined a roadmap to accelerate transformation, which includes broadening access through inclusive infrastructure, scaling digital public goods, and investing in Africas youth as digital creators. She concluded that with the right policies, partnerships, and investments, Africas full potential in the digital age can be unlocked.
