The Ministerial Forum 2024, themed Building a Prosperous, Inclusive, and Sustainable Digital & Intelligent Africa, kicked off at Africa Com and the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town on Monday, 11 November 2024.
Keynote speeches were delivered by John Omo, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), along with Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi.
They discussed the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Africa’s digital transformation.
Ministerial Forum 2024 highlights
Africa is still, according to Malatsi, one of the least electrified regions in the world. More than half a billion people don’t have access to reliable electricity.
He says unless current electrification efforts are significantly increased (tripled, even), many people will remain without power by 2030.
Additionally, in some parts of the continent, achieving full electrification could take over 100 years.
‘Unity and urgent action needed’
Meanwhile, John Omo emphasised the importance of collaboration. Unity is needed among policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders.
“We often compete rather than collaborate, and this competitive spirit kills initiatives that could propel us forward if only we worked together,” he says.
Omo noted that while internet usage has grown to cover approximately 43% of the population, it is still well below the global average of 66%.
This underscores the urgency for further digital initiatives. “This disparity tells every policymaker and operator in the room that there is still much to be done,” he stressed.
He painted a clear picture of the ongoing challenges:
- energy deficits,
- digital literacy gaps,
- and policy barriers.
These challenges limit widespread connectivity and investment in the region.
With more than 60% of Sub-Saharan Africa still lacking reliable electricity, Omo says it stifles digital progress.
“We need policies that not only foster development but ensure that rural areas, where only 23% have internet access, are not left behind.”
Omo’s call to action was for more collaborative platforms (such as the ministerial forum itself) where stakeholders can exchange ideas and pull resources together.
Renewable energy and digital infrastructure
Malatsi expanded on the theme of sustainable development, weaving in South Africa’s perspective and efforts.
“Digital technologies are now an essential facilitator for social empowerment,” Malatsi said. It allows people to learn, work, and live more connected lives.
However, these advancements also come with new barriers that could widen the digital divide.
To address these issues, he called for a “multifaceted approach that includes expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing skills, and ensuring that technology adoption is both sustainable and inclusive.”
Africa has potential in renewable energy, thanks to the continent’s abundant solar and wind resources.
Unfortunately, without accelerated efforts, Africa will remain the world’s least electrified region, and billions will be without power well into 2030.
At this stage, integrating renewable energy solutions is not just an option for sustainable digital transformation; it’s a necessity.
More needed than connectivity alone
Minister Malatsi also pointed out that connectivity alone is insufficient.
“It has to be meaningful, reliable, and sustained,” he said, emphasising the need for clean and renewable energy to support data centres and other backbone facilities of the digital economy.
He spoke passionately about digital literacy, stressing that empowering citizens with skills is just as crucial as providing access to technology.
“It’s not enough to simply provide access. We must ensure that even the most vulnerable members of society can use these tools for personal and professional growth,” he asserted.
A vision for an inclusive future
Both Omo and Malatsi’s insights set a powerful tone for the discussions we need to have once the stage is cleared, the banners taken down, and the chairs are microphones are put away.
Africa’s digital transformation is not just about technology — it’s about empowering people and ensuring no one is left behind.
The only way to make that future a reality, is through collaboration. And that future can only be made possible with strategic partnerships, robust infrastructure investments, and inclusive policies.
