Designing and Implementing Scalable and Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the African Context.
Digital transformation is rapidly advancing across the globe, introducing a range of new concepts and trends. One such emerging concept is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). In Nigeria, as in many other developing countries, significant progress has been made in establishing foundational digital infrastructures such as identity systems, payment platforms, cloud services, and broadband networks. However, these infrastructures were often not designed with modern cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in mind. Additionally, they are not delivering digital services at the societal scale or speed needed to meet citizens' needs, particularly during crises, because they often operate in silos.
As a result, there is a growing demand for new DPIs that are designed and built for security, scalability, and interoperability, and equipped with robust data privacy features. African nations, in particular, urgently need well-designed DPIs that enable citizens to securely access end-to-end online services, foster innovation, and deliver services at a societal scale across various sectors. Such DPIs have the potential to revolutionize governance, drive rapid economic growth, and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.
This workshop seeks to explore the key principles, methodologies, and case studies critical to designing and implementing scalable and inclusive DPIs in Africa. By focusing on these aspects, the workshop aims to provide insights and strategies that will help African countries build the digital infrastructure necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
Objectives for the participants
- Deepen understanding of the institutional, economic, cultural, and infrastructure contexts of developing countries to effectively design and implement DPI;
- Identify and comprehend the policy and regulatory environment that supports and governs DPI projects, ensuring alignment with the broader DPI ecosystem;
- Discuss and learn how to design a DPI that enhances accessibility and inclusiveness, taking into account the needs of people with limited digital literacy, individuals with disabilities, and marginalized communities, particularly in African countries;
- Explore technical and non-technical considerations and solutions related to connectivity, interoperability, proprietary and open standards, scalability, extensibility, cybersecurity, data privacy, policy frameworks, institutional and regulatory mechanisms, cost, and efficiency in DPI design and implementation;
- Identify best practices and review case studies from successful DPI implementations in developed countries, including lessons learned, challenges encountered, and strategies to overcome them; and
- Leverage the workshop for networking, partnerships, peer learning, and knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration among participants.
