Africa urged to pursue unified digital market at Connected Africa Summit

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Africa must accelerate efforts toward a unified digital market to fully harness its economic potential and influence global digital standards, according to Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organisation, Deemah AlYahya speaking at the Connected Africa Summit 2026.

Addressing a high-level roundtable in Nairobi, AlYahya emphasized that while Africa has the necessary foundations to shape the global digital economy, fragmentation across multiple national markets could limit its impact. She called for stronger alignment around shared regulatory frameworks, trusted data systems, and interoperable digital infrastructure.

She noted that Africa’s digital economy is projected to grow significantly, expanding from approximately $30 billion in 2025 to over $70 billion by 2031. However, she cautioned that capturing this growth effectively will depend on the continent’s ability to operate as a cohesive digital ecosystem rather than as separate markets.

AlYahya highlighted the importance of digital public infrastructure as a foundation for inclusive growth, alongside initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy, which provide frameworks for deeper integration.

She also referenced the work of the Digital Cooperation Organization through its WE-Elevate programme, which has supported over 10,000 businesses across countries including Rwanda, Nigeria, and The Gambia, with more than 2,500 already engaged in cross-border trade.

Participants at the roundtable underscored the need for coordinated action to align policies, strengthen regional integration, and unlock scale in Africa’s digital economy.

The session featured contributions from key stakeholders, including Léon Juste Ibombo and Peter Ndegwa, and was moderated by Julie Gichuru.

The discussions reinforced a growing consensus that achieving scale through integration will be critical to positioning Africa as a competitive and influential player in the global digital economy.