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African leaders are sharpening their focus on digital sovereignty, warning that the continent’s economic future will depend not just on connectivity, but on who controls its data—and where it is stored.
At a high-level roundtable during the 58th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of Ministers, held in Tangiers, Morocco, in April 2026, policymakers and technology leaders signaled a decisive shift in Africa’s digital ambitions: from being consumers of technology to becoming architects of their own digital infrastructure and data ecosystems.
Central to this shift is the idea of “sovereign data”—ensuring that African data is stored, processed and governed within the continent.
Participants emphasized that digital independence is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite for economic security and national resilience.
“Digital public infrastructure is as vital today as electricity,” said Américo Muchanga, Mozambique’s Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation. But, he added, infrastructure alone is not enough. Governments must now decide how to classify and manage their data—what remains within national borders, and what can be shared—so that its value benefits African economies.
Beyond infrastructure: entering the “age of intelligence”
For years, Africa’s digital agenda has focused on expanding connectivity—laying fiber, increasing mobile access, and building platforms for public services. While that remains essential, leaders say the conversation must evolve.
Digital public infrastructure (DPI), often described as the “rails” of the digital economy, must now carry something more valuable: intelligence.
As artificial intelligence reshapes economies globally, Africa faces a critical question—will it simply adopt external systems, or build its own?
“Africa must prioritize local data processing and systems that reflect its realities,” said Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology. He warned that relying on imported models risks entrenching systems that do not capture African languages, contexts or economic needs.
The solution, participants argued, lies in investing in local talent and capabilities—from data science to AI model training—so that innovation is grounded in African realities.
Building the backbone: data centers and “AI factories”
A recurring theme was the urgent need for infrastructure that can support this transition. Data centers—described as the backbone of the digital economy—remain in short supply.
“Africa needs to increase its data center capacity tenfold,” said Adil El Youssefi, CEO of Africa Data Centers at Cassava Technologies. Currently, the continent generates less than 1% of global data despite accounting for nearly 20% of the world’s population.
To bridge this gap, participants called for the development of “AI factories”—facilities capable of storing and processing large volumes of data locally. These would not only support AI development but also ensure that the economic value derived from data remains within Africa.
However, such investments require reliable and affordable energy, as well as long-term financing—two persistent challenges across the continent.
A new model: data embassies and regional cooperation
Among the more innovative ideas discussed was the concept of “data embassies”—shared infrastructure that allows countries to store data securely across borders while maintaining sovereignty.
This model, participants said, could help smaller economies overcome the high costs of building standalone data infrastructure, while strengthening regional integration.
It also reflects a broader push toward collaboration.
Pius Chaya, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Planning and Investment, stressed the need for strong public-private partnerships, underpinned by robust cybersecurity and data protection frameworks.
Without trust, he noted, digital systems cannot scale.
From policy to execution
While Africa has made strides in developing digital strategies, leaders acknowledged a familiar challenge: implementation.
Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President and Finance Minister of Botswana, pointed to a gap between policy ambition and real-world impact. Botswana, he said, is addressing this by using a universal service fund—financed through a levy on mobile operators—to expand connectivity to underserved communities.
“The time for planning alone is over,” he said. “We must now focus on execution.”
This call for “mega execution” reflects a growing urgency to translate strategies into tangible benefits—jobs, services, and economic growth.
Inclusion and measurement
Despite progress, nearly one billion Africans remain offline, even in areas with mobile coverage. Industry representatives, including the GSMA, urged governments to remove taxes on mobile devices to make digital access more affordable.
At the same time, measuring the economic impact of digital transformation remains a challenge.
“If we cannot measure the contribution of technology to GDP, we cannot monetize it,” said Claver Gatete, UNECA’s Executive Secretary. Strengthening national statistical systems, he added, is essential for evidence-based policymaking and accountability.
A defining moment
As Africa accelerates its digital transformation, the stakes are becoming clearer. Data is no longer just a byproduct of the digital economy—it is its most valuable asset.
The discussions in Tangier point to a continent at a crossroads: one that must decide whether to remain a consumer in the global digital order, or to assert control over its data, technologies and economic destiny.
The message from leaders was unmistakable—Africa’s digital future must be built in Africa, and for Africa.
