Smart Africa Calls for Stronger Public-Private Collaboration to Drive Digital Transformation

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 (GDC26) Conference in Geneva, where 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 discuss how closer cooperation between public and private institutions can accelerate digital development while ensuring that emerging technologies serve citizens effectively.

Dr. Mbouna highlighted the complementary roles of governments and businesses in driving digital transformation. He noted that governments provide legitimacy, public policy and accountability to citizens, while the private sector contributes technology, investment, innovation and the ability to move quickly.

According to Smart Africa, this relationship should go beyond consultation and evolve into genuine co-creation, with governments and businesses jointly designing, financing and delivering digital solutions while sharing responsibility for their outcomes.

Dr. Mbouna stressed that collaboration must be matched by accountability, warning that partnerships without clear responsibility risk becoming little more than consultation.

Smart Africa’s participation at GDC26 reflects its broader focus on strengthening digital cooperation and encouraging partnerships that can support inclusive digital transformation across the continent.