The AUDA-NEPAD in partnership with the Vodacom Group, on August 2 2022, launched a policy paper on “Enabling Policy Frameworks for Digital Services for Expanded Economic Growth and Development - A Focus on the SADC Region”. The white paper is part of the broader collaboration between AUDA-NEPAD and the Vodacom Group on strengthening the digital capabilities of AU Member States for enhanced public service delivery. The paper has come at an opportune time when the continent, recovering from the effects of COVID-19 and other global shocks, is putting in increased efforts to accelerate the implementation of digitalization strategies and policies. The paper provides in-depth analysis of the importance of appropriate free data flows within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and beneficiation from digital economies. More importantly, the paper draws on lessons from other jurisdictions to provide elaborate policy recommendations and guidelines on how SADC Member States and other AU Member States can leverage on the principles of Africa's regional economic integration frameworks to reduce regulatory barriers in order to create regional digital markets for the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Opening the launch, the Chief External Affairs Officer of the Vodacom Group, Mr. Stephen Chege, stressed the need for appropriate free flow of data across borders to ensure use of digital technologies to drive business and economic growth. Cognisant of the concerns around cross border data flows, enacting appropriate regulatory frameworks will bring more national businesses and consumers into the digital fold. He indicated the importance of the partnership with AUDA-NEPAD in facilitating good practises for thriving digital economies. In his opening remarks, Mr. Martin Bwalya, Acting Director of KMPE, AUDA-NEPAD alluded to the importance of private engagements as key element in AUDA-NEPAD delivery model. Agenda 2063 is clear and resolute on the principle that sustainable economic growth and inclusive development can only be realized through mutual public-private collaboration and shared responsibilities. It is perfectly possible to pursue business interests and development at the same time; in fact, the two reinforce each other. Mr. Bwalya pointed the added value of the white paper in providing of practical areas of considerations for AU Member States to ensure enabling regulatory environment for digital and data services to facilitate appropriate free flow of data between jurisdictions for viable regional digital economies. There is a need for political support on accelerating the implementation of SADC Model Law on Data Protection, the AU Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) and Data Policy Framework (DPF) for viable and thriving digital economies.

During roundtable panel session, Ms Abigial Yeboah, Head of Administration, Ghana Data Protection Commission, Dr. Gideon Nimako, Senior Programme Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, Mr. Clive Charlto, Head of Solution Architecture - Middle East & Africa, AWS and Mr. Matthew Alison, Senior Public Policy Manager, Vodafone Group discussed the paper and its implication for policy design and implementation as well as for business productivity. Dr. Nimako stressed the importance of appropriate adequate infrastructure and sound regulatory frameworks for flow of digital services across jurisdictions to exploit the trade opportunities being offered by the AfCFTA. He indicated the need to close the knowledge gap between policymakers and telecommunication companies to allow efficient dialogue on how digital technologies can enable social and economic growth through business productivity. The practical recommendations provided for by the paper are key for harnessing innovations that leverages on emerging data, digital and 4IR technologies to demonstrate clear and tangible value both on the business side as well as on the socio-development side.

Data is transforming the world economy and its analysis represents the next frontier in economic value generation. The recent global shocks triggered by public health crises and conflicts has accelerated digital transformation of national economies. These have brought to bear, the need for countries to collaborate on data sharing and transfer, a crucial asset for policy and decision-making processes. One aspect in the world-wide experiences with COVID-19 is the spotlight the pandemic has put on the imperative and urgency to ensure wide and inclusive data flows and access.  Data flows will only continue to rise as more countries and sectors embrace digital transformation. However harnessing social and economic benefits from the digital transformation will require deliberate and concerted efforts from the both public sector to create the enabling policy frameworks and the private sector to innovate for positive business growth and job creation. As such AUDA-NEPAD partnerships with the private sector will strengthened the digital capabilities of AU Member States for enhanced public service delivery and to stimulate growth in the private business enterprises. 

DOWNLOAD THE WHITE PAPER HERE>