By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Smart Africa has called for
stronger and more accountable public-private collaboration to shape a trusted
and inclusive global digital future, with governments and businesses urged to
move beyond consultation towards joint action.
The call was made during the
opening Council Panel of the second Annual Global Digital Collaboration (GDC26)
Conference in Geneva, where Smart Africa was represented by Dr Ralph Oyini
Mbouna, Director of Digital Transformation and Services and a member of the GDC
Council.
The high-level panel brought
together leaders from governments, industry and international organisations to
examine how collaboration between the public and private sectors can contribute
to building inclusive and trusted digital ecosystems.
Dr Oyini said governments
provide legitimacy, public policy and accountability to citizens, while the
private sector contributes technology, investment, innovation and speed.
He argued that the
opportunity therefore lies not simply in consultation between the two sides but
in co-creation, with stakeholders jointly designing, investing in and
delivering digital solutions while maintaining shared accountability.
“Collaboration without
accountability is only consultation,” Dr Oyini said during the discussion.
