Digital technology holds immense potential for long-term economic development. Through its G20 Presidency, South Africa is seizing this transformational opportunity to prioritize digital public infrastructure (DPI) and artificial intelligence (AI), key enablers of digital transformation, in this year’s G20 Digital Agenda.
Building on the declarations of the past two G20 Presidencies, South Africa is currently advancing discussions on how to measure the dynamic social and economic value of the DPI. This recognizes that the potential benefits of DPIs to people and the planet will not come automatically and will depend on how countries design and implement DPIs.
On the AI front, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Under the G20 Presidency, the G20 Task Force on Artificial Intelligence aims to advance Africa’s strategic priorities, particularly regarding AI. This requires investments and partnerships to strengthen the AI infrastructure across the continent through regional and national leadership, along with AI hubs for sustainable development focused on private sector growth.
Unlocking the social and economic value of DPI
Discussions on the DPI are at the heart of South Africa’s G20 Digital Economy Working Group. The important questions that are raised are: How can we measure the value of DPI beyond traditional cost-benefit analysis, focusing on its role in enabling long-term economic and social development?
To answer this question, it is worth considering the following points:
regional diversity
Analysis from data collected by DPI map It shows clear differences between regions. In Asia, Europe and Latin America, DPI is leading transformation across sectors such as education and healthcare. Meanwhile, in Africa and the Caribbean, countries planning or piloting DPI face significant challenges, including governance gaps that limit the potential impact of DPI. A key barrier is the underutilization of digital identity and authentication for large-scale electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) in these regions, and inadequate DPI implementation is hindering benefits to people and governments.
Africa’s power
In Africa, various mechanisms are in place, such as the African Union (AU). digital transformation strategy, AU Data Policy Framework and Interoperable framework for digital identity (adopted in 2022/2023) drives progress as a complement to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its 2024 Digital Trade Protocol. These frameworks promote interoperability, effective governance, and human-centered regulation.
However, many African countries are still in the planning or testing stages. Comprised of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) 90% of the private sector on the African continent, Provides 80% of employment and contribute 40% They represent a high proportion of gross domestic product (GDP), 70% are women-owned businesses, and are often informal. DPI has the potential to provide MSMEs on the continent with increased operational efficiency, access to finance, and market reach. Directing DPI implementation toward development impact can help unlock additional employment opportunities and other society-wide benefits.
The United Nations Development Program (Ucdp), in partnership with the African Union and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), supports the President’s challenge to identify and accelerate DPI innovation and implementation that can unlock social and economic value for governments, people and the planet.
Closing the AI wealth gap
The G20 AI Task Force is a vital coalition-building platform, working to ensure that the AI divide does not become the new digital divide. How can we move beyond centralized global policies involving the private sector to regional approaches to long-term development and sovereignty? fill this gap Shaping the future of AI requires collaboration with local actors in the business community, including the private sector and civil society. Complementing the governance discussions led by UNESCO, the OECD and other partners, UNDP’s engagement in South Africa’s G20 Presidency is centered around three themes:
1. The private sector as a driver of growth and responsibility
Private sector players, including startups, are important partners in achieving AI fairness. These are the drivers of growth for the African continent and the developing world as a whole. Advancing greater responsibility and investment requires greater cooperation and innovative partnerships across countries. In 2024, UNDP, in collaboration with the G7 Italian Presidency and the Ministry of Enterprise and the Italian Ministry of Manufacturing, AI hub for sustainable development.
The AI Hub is a borderless initiative co-designed with African stakeholders, ITU, and private sector actors in Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, San Francisco, and Toronto. Building on this progress, it is envisaged that South Africa’s G20 Presidency will continue to create space for the private sector to lead in innovative ways and invest in AI infrastructure such as computing, data and talent. Rethinking trust and safety in AI.
2. Africa’s AI infrastructure is emerging and vibrant
From GPU clusters to renewable energy to power data centers, Africa’s AI infrastructure is already emerging. based in south africa Deep Learning Indaba Participation in the Task Force demonstrates the G20 Presidency’s commitment to action and impact across Africa in 2025. UNDP all languages matter A reflective article co-authored with the University of Ghana highlights the need to encourage community efforts to develop datasets for African low-resource languages. Integrating these into AI systems is especially important where literacy is low and connectivity is low.
3. Green computing
Currently, only 5% of African talent Only 1% of companies have on-premises facilities with sufficient computing access, creating a major barrier to innovation. The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is an innovative, action-oriented partnership with public interest and business models at its core. African Green Computing Coalition (AGCC) Addressing AI equity challenges and enabling responsible private sector growth for all. Cassava Technologies and Nvidia recently announced a groundbreaking partnership on AI infrastructure in Africa, advancing the agenda of transforming industrial value chains for long-term development with the private sector and start-ups.
South Africa’s role is Computing hub across Africa It highlights the potential of AI to help close the capital gap. This year, in its G20 Presidency, South Africa aims to work with the African Union to build the necessary linkages and plans for AI initiatives in Africa.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency is to be commended for its energy and momentum as it prepares for its second meeting in the Eastern Cape in April. The ambitious vision of the Presidency outlined in the National DPI Roadmap at its first meeting in 2025 is aptly expressed in the theme of the G20 South African Presidency. solidarity, equality and sustainability.
build on G20 Trioka Declaration In addition to the Global Digital Compact adopted by 193 member states – India, Brazil and South Africa – South Africa’s G20 Presidency is playing a key role in fostering discussions on DPI and AI, putting African and Global South priorities at the center of the agenda.
Robert Opp is Chief Digital Officer at the United Nations Development Programme, and Keyzom Ngodup Massally is Director of Digital and AI Programs at the United Nations Development Programme’s Chief Digital Office.
This article was published by the World Economic Forum. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not of the World Economic Forum.
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