Our Thinking

Insights & Publications

The Africa Digital Compact: What It Means for National Digital Agendas
Digital Government

The Africa Digital Compact: What It Means for National Digital Agendas

The ratification of the Africa Digital Compact at the 2023 AU Summit marks a turning point in continental digital governance. We unpack what it means in practice for national governments.

· 7 min read
Governing AI in Africa: Five Principles for Responsible National AI Strategies
Technology & Innovation

Governing AI in Africa: Five Principles for Responsible National AI Strategies

As African governments race to develop national AI strategies, we argue that getting the governance foundations right is more important than the speed of adoption — and offer five principles to guide the process.

· 9 min read
Digital Identity in Africa: The Foundation Every Government Is Missing
Digital Government

Digital Identity in Africa: The Foundation Every Government Is Missing

Without a reliable digital identity infrastructure, every other e-government initiative rests on sand. We make the case for why digital ID should be the first priority of any national digitalisation agenda.

· 8 min read
Cybersecurity Regulation in Africa: From Fragmentation to Harmonisation
Policy & Governance

Cybersecurity Regulation in Africa: From Fragmentation to Harmonisation

Africa's cybersecurity regulatory landscape is a patchwork of inconsistent national laws and regulatory gaps. We examine the path from fragmentation to a harmonised continental framework.

· 8 min read
The AfCFTA Digital Protocol: What It Means for Cross-Border Data Flows
Policy & Governance

The AfCFTA Digital Protocol: What It Means for Cross-Border Data Flows

The AfCFTA's Digital Trade Protocol will transform how data moves across African borders. We analyse its implications for businesses, regulators, and governments navigating the data localisation debate.

· 8 min read
GovTech Procurement in Africa: Why the Model Is Broken and How to Fix It
Strategy & Leadership

GovTech Procurement in Africa: Why the Model Is Broken and How to Fix It

African governments spend billions on technology systems that underperform, arrive late, or fail outright. The problem is not the technology — it is the procurement model. We propose a reform agenda.

· 9 min read
The Gulf's Digital Government Race: Lessons for the African Context
Digital Government

The Gulf's Digital Government Race: Lessons for the African Context

Gulf states have invested massively in digital government transformation — with impressive results. What can African governments learn from the Gulf experience, and what should they avoid?

· 10 min read
Public Sector Leadership in the Age of Digital Disruption
Strategy & Leadership

Public Sector Leadership in the Age of Digital Disruption

Digital transformation is as much a leadership challenge as a technical one. We explore what effective public sector leadership looks like in an era of accelerating technological change.

· 10 min read