The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has officially unveiled the “Africa 2035 Digital Implementation Roadmap,” signaling a transformative shift in the continent’s approach to the digital economy. The roadmap was introduced during the Africa Regional Consultation on the Implementation of WSIS+20 Outcomes: Operationalizing WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), held from July 1–2, 2026, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.
This two-day summit marks the formal regional commencement of efforts to translate the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution A/RES/80/173—which extends the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) mandate through 2035—into a synchronized, action-oriented continental strategy.
By embedding the Global Digital Compact (GDC) at the core of Africa’s digital agenda, the ECA is pivoting the region away from basic connectivity goals toward a future defined by sustainable, inclusive, and high-impact digital growth.
For too long, digital development initiatives across Africa have been hampered by fragmentation and siloed policy frameworks. The Africa 2035 roadmap addresses these inefficiencies by consolidating existing instruments, such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the AU Digital Transformation Strategy, into a single, cohesive delivery architecture.
Mr. Samuel Kobina Annim, Director of the African Centre for Statistics at the ECA, observed that despite the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, critical disparities in access, usage, and inclusion remain. “Digital transformation is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063,” Annim stated.
He explained that the roadmap is purposefully designed to bridge the “implementation gap” by establishing a standardized set of reporting indicators. This framework will empower member states to move beyond abstract commitments, enabling them to track progress in digital inclusion, public infrastructure, and meaningful connectivity through reliable, empirical data.
A prevailing theme throughout the consultation was that connectivity is merely the baseline, not the destination. Speakers emphasized that the true measure of success lies in how digital tools drive job creation, enhance healthcare and education delivery, strengthen governance, and catalyze regional innovation.
Mr. Seyoum Mengesha, representing Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology, reinforced this strategic priority. “Digital transformation is not a standalone technology agenda; it is fundamental to inclusive growth, improved public services, competitiveness, youth opportunities, and regional integration,” he remarked.
He highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic investments in digital identity, broadband, and e-government platforms as scalable models for leveraging digital public infrastructure to empower citizens and foster national development.
The consultation also underscored the vital role of parliamentary oversight and regional collaboration in digital governance. Hon. Alidjanatou Saliou Arekpa, speaking on behalf of the Republic of Benin and the Network of African Parliamentarians for Digital Governance, advocated for the accelerated implementation of the 2025 Cotonou Declaration.
She highlighted the imperative of “digital sovereignty,” robust cybersecurity, and the cultivation of innovation ecosystems tailored to Africa’s unique socio-political landscape.
By aligning with the GDC, the Africa 2035 roadmap enhances the continent’s capacity to engage meaningfully in global digital discourse. Ms. Isabelle Lois, Vice-Chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), commended the ECA’s leadership in guiding this regional process, noting that the roadmap is an essential mechanism for fostering inclusive, multi-stakeholder partnerships.
