Digitalisation is often described as a key driver of Africa’s economic development- both in development cooperation as well as in political and academic discourses. In an increasingly multipolar and fragmented world, it also plays an important geostrategic role.
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Against this backdrop, Megatrends Afrika and the Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL) at GIGA, in cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office, organised a hybrid workshop with around 50 invited experts. The workshop focused on new cooperation opportunities with Africa in the digital sector and took place at the Foreign Office.
The event began with a keynote address by Prof. Jann Lay (GIGA), who highlighted both the rapid digital advancements in Africa and the persisting disparities between Africa and the rest of the world. The first panel, featuring Dr Hangwei Li (IDOS), Dr Jane Munga (Carnegie), and Dr Melody Musoni (ECDPM), explored Africa’s relationships with external partners, discussing China’s fragmented authoritarianism, the U.S.’s economy-centred approach, and Africa’s desire for diversifying its partnerships.
A second panel, moderated by Prof. Christian von Soest and commented on by Alexander Fierley (German Embassy Kenya), picked up on key aspects of the first panel and focused on the needs of Kenyan actors and the evolving relationships between Kenya and the EU. Key challenges, as well as successes in the partnership, were highlighted. The panellists were Tevin Tafese (GIGA), Dr Anette Ruml (GIGA), and Christin Schulz-Kaunga (Digital Transformation Center, Kenya).
The event, moderated by Dr Iris Wieczorek (GIGA) and Dr Benedikt Erforth (IDOS), facilitated a nuanced exchange on future cooperation opportunities, emphasised African agency, and highlighted the unique strengths of German political and business engagement.
