Digital transformation is essential for Africa’s economic and social development. Particularly for its potential of driving economic growth, creating new jobs, and improving social development to fulfil the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Adopting digital technologies helps solve some of the most pressing challenges in agribusiness, financial services, supply chains, healthcare, and education in Africa. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on the health and well-being of people across the continent, it has also highlighted the importance of digital technologies and accelerated the adoption of digital solutions in a number of areas in Africa.

The pandemic also exposes Africa’s economic vulnerabilities and dependency on global markets. A joint report by the African Union Commission (AUC) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows that Africa experienced reduced capital utilization, rising global trade costs, and increased risks of supply chains during COVID-19. Such vulnerabilities raise the necessity of accelerating digital transformation to facilitate regional integration in Africa and create jobs.

This workshop, on the theme, “Digital Education/Transformation: Shaping Africa’s Post-Covid Economic Futures”explores an integrated framework on multilayered digital education transformation in Africa designed by the Afro-Sino Centre to contribute to shaping Africa’s post pandemic economic futures. The workshop seeks to stimulate discussions that lead to actionable insights, fostering a future where Africa’s digital environment is robust to advance the continent’s economic transformation.