Exploring Avenues for (Enhanced) Collaborations in the Digital Sphere in Africa

On September 19th, the GIGA had the privilege of organizing a hybrid workshop in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office, where it was hosted, and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS). The event brought together international cooperation partners and around 50 invited guests, attending both in person and online. The aim was to explore new avenues for digital collaboration in Africa. Entitled "Exploring Avenues for (Enhanced) Collaborations in the Digital Sphere in Africa," the workshop was co-organised by experts from GIGA’s Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL) and IDOS’s Megatrends Afrika (MTA) project.

After opening remarks from Richard Cuntz of the German Federal Foreign Office, Prof. Dr. Jann Lay (GIGA) set the stage with insights into Africa’s digital development, offering a comparative perspective with global trends. This was followed by two panels featuring inputs from experts in the field.

In the first panel, Dr. Hangwei Li (IDOS), Dr. Jane Munga (Carnegie), and Dr. Melody Musoni (ECDPM) addressed digital cooperation and competition in Africa. They discussed infrastructure investments, data governance, and Africa’s relations with external partners —highlighting China's strategic investments, the US’s Digital Transformation Initiative, and the EU’s emphasis on ethical standards.

The second panel, moderated by Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest (GIGA) and with commentary from Alexander Fierley of the German Embassy in Kenya, focused on the needs of Kenyan stakeholders and the evolving relationship between Kenya and the EU. Presentations were given by Dr. Tevin Tafese (GIGA), Dr. Anette Ruml (GIGA), and Christin Schulz-Kaunga (Digital Transformation Center in Kenya), which examined the economic impacts of digitalisation, touching on trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The panelists also presented case studies from African countries, illustrating how tailored foreign policy approaches can foster local innovation.

The event, moderated by Dr. Iris Wieczorek (GIGA) and Dr. Benedikt Erforth (IDOS), facilitated in-depth discussions and a nuanced exchange on future cooperation opportunities with Africa. The discussions prioritized African agencies and explored key issues such as infrastructure, local innovation, and regulatory frameworks, all supported by real-world examples from Africa. Contributions highlighted the role of digitalisation in promoting transparency, reducing corruption, and advancing sustainable digital education in Africa, while also emphasizing the distinctive characteristics of German politics and economics.

This event offered an invaluable platform for academics, policymakers, and business leaders to exchange ideas, setting the stage for stronger partnerships between Germany and Africa to drive digital transformation and enhance bilateral cooperation.