United Nations — From the establishment of data embassies to the creation of AI “factories,” policymakers assert that control over data will be the primary driver of the continent’s economic future.
African leaders are intensifying their focus on digital sovereignty, warning that the continent’s long-term economic prosperity depends not only on expanding connectivity but on who owns the data and where it is stored.
During a high-level roundtable at the 58th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of Ministers in Tangiers, Morocco, in April 2026, technology leaders and policymakers signaled a fundamental shift in strategy. The goal is to transition Africa from a mere consumer of global technology to an architect of its own digital infrastructure and data ecosystems.
At the heart of this movement is the concept of “sovereign data,” which advocates for the storage, processing, and governance of African data within the continent’s borders.
Participants argued that digital independence is no longer a luxury, but a critical prerequisite for national resilience and economic security.
“Digital public infrastructure is as vital today as electricity,” stated Américo Muchanga, Mozambique’s Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation. Muchanga emphasized that hardware alone is insufficient; governments must establish clear frameworks for data classification and management to ensure that the resulting economic value benefits African nations.
Beyond Infrastructure: Entering the Age of Intelligence
Historically, Africa’s digital roadmap has focused on connectivity—expanding fiber optic networks, increasing mobile penetration, and deploying public service platforms. While these remain essential, leaders argue that the discourse must now evolve.
Digital public infrastructure (DPI), often viewed as the foundational “rails” of the digital economy, must now be leveraged to transport something more potent: intelligence.
As artificial intelligence transforms global economies, Africa faces a pivotal choice: whether to adopt external systems or develop its own. Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, warned that relying on imported AI models risks entrenching systems that fail to reflect African languages, cultural contexts, and economic requirements.
The consensus among participants is that the solution lies in investing in local expertise—spanning data science to AI model training—to ensure that innovation is rooted in local realities.
Building the Backbone: Data Centres and “AI Factories”
A recurring theme was the urgent requirement for infrastructure capable of supporting this transition. Data centres, the backbone of the digital economy, are currently in short supply across the region.
“Africa needs to increase its data centre capacity tenfold,” noted Adil El Youssefi, CEO of Africa Data Centres at Cassava Technologies.
Despite representing nearly 20% of the world’s population, Africa currently generates less than 1% of global data. To bridge this gap, leaders called for the creation of “AI factories”—specialized facilities for local data storage and processing. Such hubs would not only accelerate AI development but ensure that the economic value generated from data remains within the continent.
However, scaling these investments requires overcoming persistent challenges, specifically the need for affordable, reliable energy and long-term financing.
A New Model: Data Embassies and Regional Cooperation
One of the more innovative proposals discussed was the “data embassy” model—shared infrastructure that allows nations to store data securely across borders while maintaining legal sovereignty.
This collaborative approach could enable smaller economies to bypass the high costs of standalone infrastructure while fostering deeper regional integration.
Pius Chaya, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Planning and Investment, stressed that strong public-private partnerships, supported by robust cybersecurity and data protection frameworks, are essential. He noted that without trust, digital systems cannot achieve the necessary scale.
From Policy to Execution
While Africa has made significant strides in drafting digital strategies, leaders acknowledged a recurring gap in implementation.
Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President and Finance Minister of Botswana, highlighted the disconnect between policy ambition and real-world impact. He shared that Botswana is addressing this via a universal service fund—funded by levies on mobile operators—to extend connectivity to underserved areas.
“The time for planning alone is over,” Gaolathe asserted. “We must now focus on execution.”
This call for “mega execution” underscores the urgency of translating strategies into tangible results, such as job creation and improved public services.
Inclusion and Measurement
Despite these advancements, nearly one billion Africans remain offline, even in areas with mobile coverage. Industry representatives, including the GSMA, urged governments to lower taxes on mobile devices to make digital access more affordable.
Furthermore, quantifying the economic impact of this digital transformation remains a hurdle. Claver Gatete, UNECA’s Executive Secretary, argued that strengthening national statistical systems is essential for evidence-based policymaking, stating, “If we cannot measure the contribution of technology to GDP, we cannot monetize it.”
A Defining Moment
As Africa accelerates its digital transformation, the stakes are clear: data is no longer a byproduct of the digital economy—it is its most valuable asset.
The discussions in Tangier indicate a continent at a crossroads, deciding whether to remain a consumer in the global digital order or to assert control over its data, technologies, and economic destiny.
The message from the leadership was clear: Africa’s digital future must be built in Africa, and for Africa.
Source: Africa Renewal, United Nations