This session was co-organised by DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform with the Permanent Missions of Djibouti, Kenya and Namibia. The event is taking place during the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Forum.
Session takeaways
Core digital (transformation) issues
- Many African countries, as well as regional and continental organisations, have put in place a wide range of strategies and policies to advance digital transformation. So the policy frameworks are there, outlining goals and priorities. But more needs to be done to ensure that these goals and priorities are advanced at an international level – through, for instance, engagement in digital governance processes.
- There is a need for strengthened cooperation – within the continent and with international partners – to implement digital transformation strategies. African actors would benefit from talking to and working with each other more. And international partners need to have a better understanding of the continent’s needs; for instance, connectivity in itself does not equal meaningful access, and issues of affordability and skills also need to be tackled as part of digital inclusion initiatives.
- One challenge ahead is how to synchronise the need to address immediate issues (e.g. ensuring meaningful access) with the need not to be left behind when it comes to cutting-edge technologies, to avoid even bigger digital divides. At the same time, African countries should resist ‘the temptation of the technological race’: ‘Make sure we know where we are, understand where we want to go, and identify the tools needed to go there. Also prioritise and build capacities.’
Participation in International Geneva and other global digital processes
- Although generally mindful of the digital governance processes happening in Geneva and elsewhere, countries find it difficult to follow and engage in all of them. Missions in Geneva, for instance, often do not have enough staff to engage in these processes, and sometimes there is also a lack of adequate expertise to cover certain topics.
- There is a need for a better understanding of the benefits of engaging in digital governance processes in Geneva and elsewhere: Why should countries focus resources on these processes? How are they relevant for both national priorities, as well as regional and continental ones? Enhanced communication between missions and capitals, adequate support from capitals, and feedback loops from missions could help in this regard.
- No African country can follow all digital governance processes alone. Cooperation and coordination, including through defining and following a common agenda, could help ensure that African voices are better represented in international debates. Leveraging the expertise of various national actors – private entities, civil society – when it comes to international engagement is also something governments should pay more attention to.
- The multiplicity of fora tackling digital issues tends to be both confusing and challenging to follow. It also enables practices such as forum shopping, which, ideally, should be avoided. How to address such challenges remains an open question.
Capacity development
- Diplomats need to be equipped with the proper skills and tools to advance their countries’ interests and priorities. Building and developing capacities should focus not only on individuals, but also on institutions as a whole, so that processes and mechanisms are put in place to ensure sustainability in terms of engagement in international processes.
Potential next steps
- The session co-organisers are planning to work together on shaping a framework that would support Geneva-based missions of developing countries in following and participating in digital policy processes happening in Geneva and in other relevant multilateral fora.
Session description
As Africa’s digital dynamism grows, its participation in global digital governance must increase. The continent’s involvement in global policy-making needs to more accurately reflect the dynamism of its digital transformation processes, with growing internet penetration rates, expanding digital economies, and fast-evolving start-up ecosystems.
The digital realm cannot be developed into an enabling, secure engine for human prosperity without Africa’s active involvement in digital diplomacy. African countries and continental and regional organisations need to mobilise human and institutional resources to enable their meaningful and long-lasting engagement in digital foreign policy and diplomacy. While most African countries are in the early stages of their digital diplomacy journey, there are many policies, initiatives and practices across the continent that could drive a faster take-off of digital diplomacy in Africa.
The session will look into how to strengthen African digital voices globally, by leveraging what already exists, while developing digital foreign policies for countries, regions, and the overall continent.
It will start by exploring the digital policy priorities of African countries and institutions and their involvement in global digital governance processes. After looking at the current situation, the discussion will provide practical insights and suggestions on why and how to broaden the African digital diplomacy footprint in international processes, focusing on those dealing with access and infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI and data governance.
In brief, the session will outline the picture of Africa’s involvement in international policy processes in the digital realm by identifying existing building blocks and missing pieces for African digital diplomacy. It will then propose practical steps for developing African digital diplomacy by strengthening the voices of national and regional actors in global digital diplomacy.
Moderator: Jovan Kurbalija | Executive Director, Diplo & Head, Geneva Internet Platform
Contributors:
- H.E. Kadra Ahmed Hassan | Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Djibouti to UNOG, WTO, I.O. and Switzerland
- H.E. Julia Imene-Chanduru | Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Namibia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
- H.E. Cleopa Kilonzo Mailu | Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland
- John Omo | Secretary-General, African Telecommunications Union
- Linda Aipinge | Director of the Directorate of ICT Development, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Namibia
Core digital (transformation) issues
- Many African countries, as well as regional and continental organisations, have put in place a wide range of strategies and policies to advance digital transformation. So the policy frameworks are there, outlining goals and priorities. But more needs to be done to ensure that these goals and priorities are advanced at an international level – through, for instance, engagement in digital governance processes.
- There is a need for strengthened cooperation – within the continent and with international partners – to implement digital transformation strategies. African actors would benefit from talking to and working with each other more. And international partners need to have a better understanding of the continent’s needs; for instance, connectivity in itself does not equal meaningful access, and issues of affordability and skills also need to be tackled as part of digital inclusion initiatives.
- One challenge ahead is how to synchronise the need to address immediate issues (e.g. ensuring meaningful access) with the need not to be left behind when it comes to cutting-edge technologies, to avoid even bigger digital divides. At the same time, African countries should resist ‘the temptation of the technological race’: ‘Make sure we know where we are, understand where we want to go, and identify the tools needed to go there. Also prioritise and build capacities.’
Participation in International Geneva and other global digital processes
- Although generally mindful of the digital governance processes happening in Geneva and elsewhere, countries find it difficult to follow and engage in all of them. Missions in Geneva, for instance, often do not have enough staff to engage in these processes, and sometimes there is also a lack of adequate expertise to cover certain topics.
- There is a need for a better understanding of the benefits of engaging in digital governance processes in Geneva and elsewhere: Why should countries focus resources on these processes? How are they relevant for both national priorities, as well as regional and continental ones? Enhanced communication between missions and capitals, adequate support from capitals, and feedback loops from missions could help in this regard.
- No African country can follow all digital governance processes alone. Cooperation and coordination, including through defining and following a common agenda, could help ensure that African voices are better represented in international debates. Leveraging the expertise of various national actors – private entities, civil society – when it comes to international engagement is also something governments should pay more attention to.
- The multiplicity of fora tackling digital issues tends to be both confusing and challenging to follow. It also enables practices such as forum shopping, which, ideally, should be avoided. How to address such challenges remains an open question.
Capacity development
- Diplomats need to be equipped with the proper skills and tools to advance their countries’ interests and priorities. Building and developing capacities should focus not only on individuals, but also on institutions as a whole, so that processes and mechanisms are put in place to ensure sustainability in terms of engagement in international processes.
Potential next steps
- The session co-organisers are planning to work together on shaping a framework that would support Geneva-based missions of developing countries in following and participating in digital policy processes happening in Geneva and in other relevant multilateral fora.
