In recent years, Africa has shown a growing interest in the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through continental-level efforts, such as the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030), as well as numerous national-level initiatives. However, Africa faces a wide range of challenges that must be tackled efficiently and upfront. With India making substantial progress in DPI, this piece discusses how India can serve as a model for African countries for the successful large-scale implementation of such systems. Effective DPI implementation begins with a clear grasp of its three core pillars – digital identity, digital payments and data exchange systems – which act as a backbone for digital societies. The development of such infrastructure is important to Africa as it can facilitate sustainable development, economic growth, and job creation. Moreover, research suggests that the proper implementation of DPI can lead to a GDP growth of 20-33 percent by 2030 in low- and middle-income countries, making it an attractive investment.
India as a Blueprint for Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure
