COM58: Innovation as the Foundation of Africa's Economic Future
I recently had the privilege of attending the Fifty-eighth Session of the Economic Commission for Africa (COM 58) in Tangier, Morocco. Convened under the theme, "Growth through Innovation: Harnessing Data and Frontier Technologies for the Economic Transformation of Africa," the session brought together government leaders, policymakers, researchers, development partners, private sector representatives, and regional institutions to discuss one of the continent's most pressing questions: How can Africa harness innovation to accelerate sustainable and inclusive economic growth?
The discussions reflected a growing recognition that Africa's development trajectory will increasingly depend not only on its natural resources, but on its ability to generate, govern, and leverage data, digital technologies, and innovation ecosystems. As countries continue implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advancing digital transformation strategies, innovation is becoming a central pillar of economic policy across the continent.
Key Themes from the Discussions
Several priorities emerged consistently throughout the high-level sessions.
Investing in Digital Foundations
One of the strongest messages was the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, modern data systems, and effective governance frameworks. Reliable connectivity, interoperable digital public infrastructure, and high-quality data are no longer viewed as optional enablers—they are becoming essential foundations for economic competitiveness and evidence-based policymaking.
As governments increasingly adopt data-driven approaches, strengthening institutional capacity to collect, manage, and utilise data will be critical for designing better public policies and delivering more responsive public services.
Building Africa's Innovation Capacity
While frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and automation present significant opportunities, participants acknowledged that realising their benefits requires sustained investment in people.
Developing digital skills, strengthening research institutions, supporting startups, and fostering local innovation ecosystems are essential if African countries are to become creators of technology rather than merely consumers. The conversation consistently highlighted that technological transformation must be accompanied by investments in education, entrepreneurship, and innovation capacity.
Financing Digital Transformation
Another recurring theme was the need for innovative financing mechanisms that can support large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
Public investment alone will not be sufficient. Stronger partnerships between governments, development finance institutions, the private sector, and international partners will be necessary to mobilise the resources required to build resilient digital economies.
Strengthening Regional Integration
The discussions also reinforced the strategic role of digitalisation in advancing regional integration.
Digital technologies have the potential to reduce trade barriers, improve logistics, facilitate cross-border commerce, and strengthen regional value chains. As implementation of the AfCFTA continues, digital transformation will play an increasingly important role in enabling intra-African trade and creating new opportunities for businesses across the continent.
Data Sovereignty and AI Governance
Perhaps one of the most forward-looking discussions centred on data governance and artificial intelligence.
There was growing consensus that African countries should strengthen sovereign data systems while developing governance frameworks that promote responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI. Rather than simply adopting global approaches, Africa has an opportunity to shape governance models that reflect its own development priorities, values, and institutional realities.
Beyond Technology: A Shift in Development Thinking
Beyond the individual policy discussions, one broader message stood out.
There appears to be increasing alignment among African Member States and the Economic Commission for Africa around the need to transition from resource-driven growth models toward innovation-led, productivity-driven economies.
This represents more than a technological shift—it reflects an evolution in how economic transformation itself is being understood. Innovation is no longer viewed as a separate sector but as a cross-cutting driver of competitiveness, resilience, governance, industrialisation, and sustainable development.
Data, in particular, has emerged as a strategic asset. The ability to generate trustworthy data, govern it responsibly, and transform it into actionable insights is becoming a key determinant of national competitiveness.
Looking Ahead
As Africa continues to navigate an increasingly uncertain global landscape, the conversations at COM 58 reinforced an encouraging sense of shared ambition. Across governments, regional institutions, and development partners, there is growing recognition that digital transformation must be accompanied by sound governance, investment in people, and stronger regional cooperation.
For those of us working in digital policy and governance, these discussions also serve as a reminder that technology alone is never the destination. The ultimate objective remains inclusive economic transformation—creating opportunities, improving public services, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that innovation contributes meaningfully to people's lives.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in these important conversations as part of the work of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The insights shared throughout COM 58 will continue to inform my work on digital governance, data policy, and Africa's broader digital transformation agenda.
Africa's future will not be defined simply by adopting new technologies. It will be shaped by how effectively we govern them, invest in them, and ensure they serve the continent's development aspirations.
