Smart Africa has called for stronger public-private collaboration to build a trusted, inclusive and sustainable digital future across Africa and globally.
The organisation made the call during the opening Council Panel of the second annual Global Digital Collaboration Conference, GDC26, in Geneva. Smart Africa was represented by Dr. Ralph Oyini Mbouna, Director of Digital Transformation and Services.
The high-level panel brought together representatives from governments, the private sector and international organisations to examine how closer cooperation can accelerate digital development while ensuring emerging technologies effectively serve citizens.
Dr. Mbouna highlighted the complementary roles of the public and private sectors in advancing digital transformation. Governments bring policy, legitimacy and accountability, while businesses contribute technology, investment, innovation and the ability to execute at speed.
Smart Africa said these relationships should move beyond consultation towards genuine co-creation, where governments and businesses jointly design, finance and deliver digital solutions while sharing responsibility for their outcomes.
Dr. Mbouna also stressed that collaboration must be accompanied by clear accountability, warning that partnerships without defined responsibilities risk becoming little more than consultation exercises.
Smart Africa’s participation at GDC26 reinforces its broader focus on strengthening digital cooperation and encouraging partnerships capable of supporting inclusive and sustainable digital transformation across the continent.
