This has necessitated the need for people and institutions in general to adapt to the fast development taking shape. Africa’s burgeoning digital economy is full of growth opportunities as global businesses and investors continue to explore its digital landscape. However, despite these successes some countries are finding it difficult to fully nurture and yield the benefits that this digital revolution has brought along.
In the recent past, many developing countries have embarked on aggressive public sector digitalisation programmes including key sectors such as financial and tech. It is a proven fact that opportunities created along this line are enormous. And many youngsters are now exploiting the advantage created as a result of this digital evolution.
It is in the news that The Gambia ICT Agency (GICTA) recently convened a day’s ICT Cadre sensitisation forum meant to strengthen Public Sector Digital Transformation. This is part of broader efforts meant to promote digital transformation amid today’s ever-growing tech development.
The importance of digitalisation in public sector organisations cannot be overstated. In view of its importance, many countries have embarked on digitisation efforts to increase effectiveness and efficiency of work, to increase accountability and transparency, and to reduce costs and bureaucracy in public sector organisations.
Experts believe that digital technologies have significant potential to address many of Africa’s pressing challenges, however, their adoption and impact face several obstacles that need to be overcome to ensure that nobody is left behind.
Studies also revealed that the digital divide between developing and developed countries, has over the last four decades, continued to widen.
For instance, as of 2023, approximately 37% of the African population used the internet, with high costs of internet cited as the main barriers to usage, especially in low-income and rural areas.
Notably, Africa’s fixed broadband access rates are the highest globally, averaging 14.8% of gross national income, far exceeding International Telecommunication Union’s recommended 2%.
As a result, mobile connectivity is the primary means of accessing the internet in Africa. As of 2023, mobile penetration in sub-Saharan Africa was 44% and mobile internet penetration was 27%.
Therefore, this forum is not only crucial but timely in closing the existing gaps in the country’s digital landscape.
It is true that the government has expressed resolve to support the country’s digital landscape. This is even manifested in the creation of a Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, dedicated to amplifying the government’s digital economy vision.
It is high time institutions embrace policies and innovation so as to build a performance framework that recognises excellence and drives results.
We encourage institutions present at the forum to put into practice what they’ve learned.
Remember, many countries are taking advantage of this fast-developing tech and innovation to generate billions of dollars. And it is time we embrace it and turn our challenges into opportunities.