(Article originally appeared on 11 November 2024)

The third annual Ministerial Forum took place yesterday ahead of Africa Tech Week in Cape Town, with the theme of Building a Prosperous, Inclusive and Sustainable Digital & Intelligent Africa. Issues echoed throughout the forum included the importance of a collaborative approach between government and the private sector to further improve connectivity across the continent, and the need for a sustainable energy supply to secure the future of Africa’s digital economy.  

John Omo, Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), noted only 43% of the population of Africa is currently connected, with the rural and urban divide in connectivity quite significant. He called for the removal of regulatory and policy hurdles that inhibit investment in networks and also noted the importance of increasing digital literacy and cybersecurity in Africa.

Solar microgrids a potential solution

Fellow speaker, Hover Gao, president of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa, pointed towards the African Union’s African Digital Compact that highlights the need for accessible and affordable digital technologies, as well as the need to leverage technology for inclusive sustainable development.

Hover Gao, president of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa

In light of this, Gao discussed the importance of solar microgrids as a way to provide power in rural areas. Without a stable power supply, connectivity is simply not possible, with a phone that cannot recharge a simple example of the problems faced by many African citizens.

Goa believes solar microgrids can lay the groundwork for digital development in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the continent leading the world in potential solar power output.

With over 80% of those without electricity on the continent located in rural areas, Huawei’s microgrid solar solution consists of a solar power station that provides not only electricity but also connectivity. Huawei’s solution, called Rural Digital Plus, has been deployed in certain African countries, offering power and connectivity to residential buildings, clinics, shops, agricultural solutions and schools.

Digital transformation to include everyone

Speaking at the forum, South Africa’s communications minister, Solly Malatsi, stated digital transformation must leave no one behind, and this includes those living in far off geographic locations. Malatsi said that only eight African countries are poised to offer universal electricity access by 2030, but that wind and solar can help address these challenges.

“As Africa embraces distributed renewable energy, we must ensure that our digital infrastructure is powered by clean, sustainable energy sources,” he said. Malatsi noted how as the digital economy grows so does the demand for data centres and cloud technologies. “These facilities, which form the backbone of our digital economy, must be powered by renewable energy to ensure that our digital transformation is both sustainable and equitable,” he stated.

Importantly, Malatsi also discussed the importance of investment into ICT in order for both South Africa and the African continent to succeed in digital transformation. “The potential for growth in the digital economy is immense, and South Africa is well positioned to be a leader in this space,” Malatsi noted.

The Ministerial Forum, co hosted by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies of South Africa, Huawei and the African Telecommunications Union, concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué, recognising the role of digital transformation as a vital force in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and pledging certain commitments towards this.