Event | Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Western and Central Africa – World Bank Group

Report on the Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Western and Central Africa and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Summit Objectives and SDG Linkages

The Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Western and Central Africa is designed to evaluate progress towards the African Union’s 2030 digital transformation goals, which are intrinsically linked to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A primary objective is to formulate a common Declaration to accelerate reforms and investments that foster job creation, directly supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The summit also seeks to establish commitments that incentivize private sector investment and harmonize regional policies, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Key discussion areas are focused on leveraging digitalization to advance the 2030 Agenda:

1. Closing the Digital Divide: This initiative aims to bring more people online in West and Central Africa, directly addressing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by building resilient infrastructure and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring equitable access to information and technology.
2. Developing AI Capabilities: Fostering AI development is crucial for advancing SDG 9 through technological upgrading and innovation, and for promoting lifelong learning opportunities as outlined in SDG 4 (Quality Education).
3. Creating Digital Jobs: The focus on job creation through accelerated digitalization and a digital single market is a direct strategy to achieve SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by creating new economic opportunities.

Contextual Analysis: Digitalization as a Catalyst for the 2030 Agenda

Digitalization is a transformative force for accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. With only 15% of the 2030 SDG targets currently met, digital technologies are identified as powerful enablers, positively impacting 70% of the goals. Evidence indicates that countries with higher digitalization levels have achieved 40% more progress toward the SDGs, highlighting the critical need for investment in digital infrastructure, services, and skills.

• The digital economy enhances productivity and improves public service delivery, contributing to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• It generates extensive data that can be utilized for innovation and inclusive growth, supporting SDG 9 and SDG 8.
• In the face of global crises, digitalization has proven essential for job creation, poverty reduction, and enhancing economic resilience, reinforcing its importance for SDG 1 and SDG 8.

Challenges to SDG Achievement through Digitalization

A significant barrier to realizing the full potential of digitalization for the SDGs is the persistent digital divide. In Western and Central Africa, the internet usage gap is a critical challenge. While infrastructure coverage is expanding, internet use is only approximately 40% of the population. Notably, about 70% of individuals who do not use the internet reside in areas already covered by mobile broadband infrastructure. This usage gap impedes progress on SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and limits the reach of digital solutions for education, health, and economic inclusion.

Strategic Imperatives and Collaborative Action

Addressing the digital divide requires a multi-stakeholder approach, aligning with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Governments must create an enabling policy environment, while the private sector provides the necessary capital and innovation to scale sustainable digital ecosystems. The summit will serve as a platform to mobilize public and private sector commitments to accelerate digital transformation and AI readiness across the region.

Coordinated efforts are required to achieve these objectives:

• Expand Broadband Access: A foundational requirement for building inclusive and resilient infrastructure as per SDG 9.
• Promote Cross-Border Digital Markets: Fosters regional integration and economic growth, contributing to SDG 8 and SDG 17.
• Invest in AI Capabilities and Skills Development: Essential for fostering innovation (SDG 9) and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article heavily emphasizes “job creation”, aiming to “Create More Digital Jobs in West and Central Africa”. It states that digitalization “boosts employment” and can “drive economic transformation”, which are core components of SDG 8.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This is a central theme, with a focus on “investing in digital infrastructure”, expanding “broadband access”, and developing “AI capabilities”. The article’s objective to close the digital divide by bringing more people online directly relates to building resilient and accessible infrastructure.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The summit’s first objective is “Closing the Digital Divide”. The article highlights the disparity in internet access, noting that “coverage gaps remain particularly in rural areas” and that internet use is only “about 40% of the population” in the region. Addressing this usage gap is a direct effort to reduce inequalities in access to information and opportunities.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article describes the summit as a platform to “mobilize public and private sector commitments” and “incentivize private sector investment in the digital sector”. It stresses that bridging the digital divide requires “coordinated efforts” and creating a platform to “harmonize policies and regulations”, which embodies the spirit of partnership central to SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

   The article supports this by focusing on how “digitalization is rapidly reshaping economies” and how the “digital economy’s network effects” can “enhance productivity” and strengthen the “competitiveness of firms and SMEs”.

2. Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet.

   This is directly addressed by the summit’s objective to “Closing the Digital Divide and Bringing more people online” and the need to “expand broadband access” to tackle the low internet usage rate of “about 40% of the population”.

3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

   The article’s emphasis on “inclusive growth” and creating an “enabling environment for inclusive and trusted digital transformation” directly relates to this target, aiming to ensure that the benefits of digitalization reach all parts of society, especially those in rural and fragile contexts.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   The summit’s structure, which aims to “bring together high-level stakeholders” and create a platform for “public and private sector commitments”, is a clear example of fostering partnerships to achieve development goals. The article notes the distinct roles of governments in creating an “enabling environment” and the private sector in bringing “capital, innovation, and the capacity to scale”.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 9.c (Proportion of individuals using the Internet):

   The article explicitly provides a baseline for this indicator by stating that in Western and Central Africa, “internet use is only about 40% of the population”. Progress would be measured by the increase in this percentage over time.

2. Indicator for Target 8.2 (Implied – Number of digital jobs created):

   While no specific number is given, a key objective of the summit is to “Create More Digital Jobs in West and Central Africa”. Therefore, a clear implied indicator for success would be the number of new jobs created in the digital sector as a result of the accelerated digitalization.

3. Indicator for Target 17.17 (Implied – Amount of private sector investment):

   The article mentions the aim to “agree on a common Declaration to accelerate… investments in the digital sector” and to “incentivize private sector investment”. An implied indicator would be the total value of private capital mobilized for digital infrastructure and services in the region following the summit.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: worldbank.org