Smart Africa and BOAD join forces to boost digital transformation in West Africa
Date: 2023-06-08
Smart
Africa and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) have entered into a
partnership that will see them collaborate in activities to help implement
digital transformation projects in Africa.
The
signing of this partnership also signals BOAD formal joining of the Smart
Africa Alliance as a partner institution, the latest in that category that
includes the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African
Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank, among others.
In a statement to announce the partnership, it noted that Smart
Africa will work specifically with the West African Bank of Development (BOAD) with
potential funding to support the development and implementation of its digital
transformation projects that directly involve BOAD member countries, namely the
members of the West African Monetary and Economic Union (WAMEU).
These
include support for the development of digital infrastructure, including
cross-border broadband networks and data centers in the UEMOA zone, technical
skills development, digital literacy and capacity building through the
expansion of the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), collaborate on
fundraising activities to implement projects identified as being of mutual
interest, support the development of e-commerce in the UEMOA zone through the
Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) project, aligned with the implementation of
the ZLECAf, and finally foster the innovation ecosystem by promoting the
Startups toolkit for the benefit of our member countries according to their
level of advancement.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Lacina Koné, DG/CEO of
Smart Africa said: “By joining forces
with BOAD, we are combining our expertise and resources to pave the way for a
digital revolution that will empower the West African nations and their
citizens. We are celebrating our 10 years anniversary this year and it's through
such partnerships that faster and effectual accomplishment of our continent’s
digital agenda will be achieved”.
BOAD’s entry into this partnership is in line with its
Djoliba strategic plan which focuses on 6 main areas: regulatory frameworks,
infrastructure, digital public platforms, digital financial services, digital
governance, and entrepreneurship.
In this regard, Mr. Serge EKUE emphasized that “The West African Development Bank’s (BOAD)
commitment is to Connect, Innovate, and Transform which highlights the Bank’s
interest in joining the Smart Africa Alliance as a financing partner to
stimulate investments tailored to digital projects with a specific impact on
WAEMU countries”.
Furthermore, the President of BOAD commended the commitment
of all stakeholders to finding concrete and innovative solutions for economic
growth through the creation of alliances, partnerships, and unions that promote
sub-regional and by extension African integration, thereby contributing to the
overall well-being of our populations.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
