1 Introduction

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to the foundational digital systems and services that enable society-wide connectivity, identification, and transactions. In Africa, DPI has become a cornerstone of development strategy, underpinning everything from e-government services to fintech and healthcare innovations. Policymakers across the continent recognize that robust digital infrastructure – spanning broadband networks, digital identity systems, and payment platforms – is essential for economic transformation and for harnessing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

Accordingly, the African Union (AU) and regional bodies have set ambitious goals for a digitally empowered Africa by 2030. As of 2025, Africa’s digital landscape is marked by rapid progress in connectivity and innovation, alongside persistent gaps in access and capacity. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the state of DPI across Africa, highlighting major achievements, ongoing initiatives, cross-border collaborations, and the integration of AI across key sectors, while also examining the challenges and opportunities that will shape the continent’s digital future.

2 Continental Vision and Strategic Initiatives

African leaders have articulated a clear vision for digital transformation through continent-wide strategies and partnerships. The AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030) provides an overarching framework, emphasizing foundational pillars such as enabling policy/regulation, digital infrastructure, digital skills, and innovation. It also identifies critical sectors to drive digitalization – including digital industry, trade and financial services, education, health, agriculture, and government – and cross-cutting themes like digital identity, cybersecurity, and data protection.

This strategy, aligned with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, envisions an inclusive, prosperous digital Africa and calls for cooperation among AU member states and regional economic communities to harmonize laws and avoid siloed approaches.

Several initiatives are in motion:
- The Smart Africa Alliance, now comprising the majority of African countries, champions projects to create a Single Digital Market by 2030. Its Smart Broadband 2025 plan aims to significantly increase affordable broadband access by mid-decade, targeting a broadband penetration of 51% (up from 34% in 2019) and adding over 300 million new broadband users.
- Smart Africa programs promote cross-border interconnectivity (e.g., “One Africa Network” for abolishing roaming charges) and capacity-building through the Smart Africa Digital Academy.
- The AU’s Continental Data Policy Framework (2022) encourages data sharing and governance standards, and by 2025 roughly 40 African countries have enacted data protection laws to safeguard personal data.
- The AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol (adopted 2024) establishes harmonized rules on e-commerce, cross-border data flows, and online consumer protection.

International partnerships (e.g., the World Bank’s Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) initiative, African Development Bank programs, etc.) provide policy, technical, and funding support for DPI growth.

3 Expanding Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure

Internet Connectivity:
- In 2013, only ~16% of Africans were online; this rose to 40% by 2022, and recalibrated to about 37% in 2023.
- More than 800 million Africans remain offline, but trends are positive.
- By end 2021, 84% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population lived under at least a 3G signal; 63% had 4G, but only 22% were actually using mobile internet services.

Internet penetration in Africa, 2013-2023 (source: ITU, World Bank)

Internet penetration in Africa, 2013-2023 (source: ITU, World Bank)

Submarine Cables & Backbones:
- Dozens of new submarine cables (e.g., 2Africa, Equiano) and 1.2 million+ km of terrestrial fiber now connect the continent.
- Pricing remains high: 1GB of data = ~10% of monthly income (vs. <2% global target).
- Ongoing efforts to improve affordability, spectrum policy, and cross-border interconnection.

Data Centers and Cloud:
- Over 100 colocation and hyperscale data centers operate, led by South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Hundreds more are needed for “AI-ready” capacity and digital sovereignty.
- New facilities in Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Accra are underway.

4 Digital Identity and E-Government

Digital ID:
- Examples: Mauritania (>94% biometric ID coverage), Benin (~98%), Malawi (>80% adult pop.), Tanzania, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Somalia (launched 2023, aiming for 15M by end-2025).
- Use of biometric tech (fingerprint, face, iris) enables wide access and reduces fraud.
- Emphasis on privacy, security, and cross-border interoperability.

E-Government Platforms:
- Rwanda’s Irembo, Kenya’s e-Citizen, Morocco/Egypt portals, and others offer dozens of digital services.
- East African Community piloting mutual recognition of national IDs.
- AU and Smart Africa push for interoperability and shared e-services across borders.

5 Digital Economy and Finance Innovations

Mobile Money:
- Africa has over 1.1 billion registered mobile money accounts (2024) – >50% of the global total.
- Annual transactions exceed $1.1 trillion; in 2023, mobile money contributed $190 billion to Africa’s GDP.
- Agent networks and national payment switches foster financial inclusion and interoperability.

Growth of mobile money accounts in Africa, 2010-2024

Growth of mobile money accounts in Africa, 2010-2024

Fintech and AI:
- AI-driven micro-lending, digital credit, insurance, and chatbots are expanding.
- Regulatory fragmentation is a challenge; AfCFTA and regional blocs are working on harmonization.

6 AI Integration Across Sectors

Healthcare:
- AI powers diagnostic support (e.g., TB, cervical cancer screening) and health worker training.
- Examples: South Africa’s AI clinics; Rwanda’s digital health plans; Ghana’s AI disease prediction.

Education:
- Adaptive learning and AI tutors deployed in Kenya, South Africa.
- AI now part of some national curricula.

Agriculture:
- AI-powered advisory (e.g., chatbots for farmers in local languages), crop monitoring, precision farming (e.g., drones, IoT).

Finance:
- AI for credit scoring, fraud detection, and customer service chatbots.

Smart Cities and Public Services:
- AI for tax audits, traffic management, disaster prediction, and digital government.

7 Challenges

  • Infrastructure Gaps: Rural/remote regions lack connectivity and power; urban-rural and gender digital divides persist.
  • Affordability: High cost of data and devices; targeted interventions needed for the most excluded.
  • Policy & Regulatory Issues: Slow harmonization, cybersecurity and data protection lags, regulatory inconsistencies.
  • Skills Shortage: Digital literacy and advanced tech talent pipeline need scaling.
  • Financing: High costs for rural extension and data centers; public-private partnerships essential.
  • Inclusion/Local Content: Services must be multilingual and contextually relevant.

8 Emerging Opportunities and Outlook

  • Youth Innovation Ecosystem: Tech hubs, digital entrepreneurship, and VC investment are growing.
  • Public-Private Partnerships: Big Tech, telcos, and multilateral banks increasingly co-invest with governments.
  • Regional Integration: AfCFTA’s digital initiatives and Smart Africa’s “Single Digital Market” vision.
  • Leapfrog Potential: Digital identity, real-time payments, renewable-powered infrastructure, and open-source DPI tools can allow Africa to leap stages of development.
  • Human Development: DPI can unlock gains in education, health, jobs, and governance.

9 Conclusion

Africa’s digital public infrastructure in 2025 is on an upward trajectory, characterized by ambitious continental strategies, major investments, and innovative public-private partnerships. Challenges of access, affordability, and capacity remain but are being addressed through policy reforms and targeted programs. AI enablement across sectors is gaining pace, building on foundational DPI. The next phase must ensure no one is left behind and digital opportunities translate to real socio-economic gains across the continent.

10 References

  • African Union Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030)
  • Smart Africa Alliance Reports (2023–2025)
  • ITU/World Bank Digital Economy Data (2023–2025)
  • GSMA Mobile Money Reports (2023–2025)
  • World Bank Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) Initiative
  • AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol Documents
  • Other policy and industry sources as cited in-text.