India-Africa Digital Compact

The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) places digital innovation at the center of its agenda, urging governments to adopt digital solutions to accelerate socio-economic progress. This digital shift is also influencing India’s digital diplomacy in Africa.
Traditionally, India has combined state-led financing with socially embedded solutions, such as technical training and infrastructure projects funded by concessional credit. Recently, India’s approach has evolved to include social enterprises that deliver affordable, high-impact innovations, reflecting a move toward more inclusive and adaptable partnerships. This new paradigm highlights the growing importance of digital technology and collaborative, flexible models in fostering sustainable development and deeper ties between India and African nations.

What is the significance of India-Africa Digital Compact?

1. Promoting Digital Inclusion: India is sharing its proven Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) models—such as Aadhaar (digital ID), UPI (digital payments), and DIKSHA (digital education)—to help African nations leapfrog traditional development barriers and expand access to essential services. This approach is designed to make digital tools affordable, adaptable, and accessible, particularly for underserved populations.

2. Open-Source and Public Good Approach: Unlike proprietary or surveillance-heavy models from other countries, India’s digital solutions are open-source and promoted as digital public goods. This ensures that African nations can adopt and adapt these technologies without restrictive licensing or geopolitical strings attached.

3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer: The compact emphasizes co-development and skill-building rather than one-sided technology transfer. Initiatives like the IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar and technical collaborations for national digital ID systems foster local talent and innovation.

4. Addressing Socio-Economic Gaps: By focusing on digital financial inclusion, healthcare, education, and governance, the compact aims to tackle persistent challenges such as rural-urban divides, gender gaps in digital access, and weak infrastructure.

5. Mutual Growth and Global South Leadership: The partnership boosts economic growth for both regions, reinforces India’s leadership in the Global South, and supports Africa’s voice on the world stage. It is rooted in mutual respect and long-term partnerships, offering a model for equitable, resilient development.

What are the challenges to India-Africa Digital Compact?

1. High Cost of Digital Access: Many African countries experience prohibitively expensive data and device costs, with mobile data sometimes exceeding 5% of average monthly income. This restricts internet use, especially among low-income and rural populations.

2. Digital Divide and Inequality: There are pronounced gaps in internet connectivity between rural and urban areas, and a significant gender gap in digital access and literacy. For example, women in sub-Saharan Africa are 37% less likely than men to use mobile internet, deepening socio-economic disparities.

3. Weak Energy and Infrastructure: Reliable electricity is essential for digital services, but many African regions suffer from inconsistent power supplies. This slows the deployment and reliability of digital infrastructure and services.

4. Limited Digital Skills and Capacity: Both India and Africa face challenges in digital literacy and skills mismatch. The rapid pace of digital transformation requires robust investments in education and capacity-building to ensure populations can effectively use new technologies.

5. Regulatory and Governance Issues: There are concerns about the lack of robust digital governance frameworks in Africa. Issues include weak enforcement of data protection, limited stakeholder engagement, and insufficient alignment with local legal and human rights frameworks, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

6. Affordability and Policy Gaps: Even as broadband coverage expands, the cost remains a barrier. There is a need for policies that prioritize not just connectivity, but also affordability and equitable access, including for marginalized groups.

7. Sustainable Financing: Bridging the “missing middle” of Africa’s digital infrastructure requires significant investment—estimated at $100 billion for broadband alone. Many African countries face budget constraints that make such investments challenging without external support.

8. Local Adaptation and Ownership: While India’s digital models are open-source and adaptable, successful implementation in Africa requires meaningful local engagement, adaptation to local contexts, and building local expertise to ensure long-term sustainability.

What can be the way forward for India-Africa Digital Compact?

1. Enhance Affordable Digital Access: Invest in expanding low-cost internet infrastructure and subsidize digital devices, especially for rural and underserved communities, to bridge the digital divide.

2. Strengthen Energy and Digital Infrastructure: Prioritize renewable energy solutions and resilient digital networks to ensure reliable connectivity and power, addressing Africa’s weak electricity grids and enabling sustained digital growth.

3. Promote Open-Source, Scalable Solutions: Continue sharing India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) models—such as Aadhaar (digital ID), UPI (digital payments), and DIKSHA (digital education)—as open-source digital public goods, allowing African nations to adapt and scale these technologies to local needs.

4. Invest in Capacity Building and Skill Development: Deepen technical collaboration through joint research, training programs, and academic partnerships (e.g., IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar), fostering local talent and digital literacy.

5. Foster Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between governments, Indian and African tech firms, and startups to co-develop innovative digital solutions, drive investment, and accelerate technology adoption.

6. Support Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Policies: Design digital initiatives that address gender gaps and promote access for marginalized groups, ensuring that benefits of digital transformation are equitably distributed.

7. Respect Local Priorities and Co-Development: Engage African partners in co-creating solutions, respecting local contexts and needs, and avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches or strategic conditionalities.

8. Strengthen Digital Governance and Data Protection: Collaborate on developing robust digital governance frameworks, including data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity, aligned with African legal and human rights standards.

9. Mobilize Sustainable Financing: Explore innovative financing models and leverage international partnerships to bridge Africa’s digital infrastructure investment gap, estimated at $100 billion for broadband alone.

10. Build Long-Term, Trust-Based Partnerships: Anchor the compact in mutual respect, long-term commitment, and shared prosperity, positioning both regions as leaders in a more equitable, connected, and resilient digital future.

Conclusion:
A new India-Africa digital compact, anchored in mutual respect, co-development, and long-term institutional partnerships, could serve as a scalable framework for advancing digital inclusion.