Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and the African Union’s Department of Infrastructure and Energy (DIE) co-organized the “Capacity Building Workshop on the Implementation of the AU Data Policy Framework” for AU Member States from Southern, Northern, Western and Central Africa Regions, in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The objective of the workshop was to assist AU Member States in implementing the Data Policy Framework (DPF), fostering the development of data systems in African countries, and strengthening their capabilities to fully exploit the strategic potential of data for advancing the digital economy.
The workshop was joined by 75 participants representing entities focused on data governance, including decision-makers from 30 African countries and officials from African economic departments across various geographical regions.
The Deputy ICT Minister for Administrative Development, Digital Transformation, and Automation delivered a keynote address during the opening session, emphasizing the crucial role of data in achieving the transition to a digital economy. He stressed the necessity of standardizing the data landscape sectorally, highlighting that the primary obstacles to transitioning to a digital economy are institutional and cultural rather than technological. The address also underscored the importance of Africa-wide interoperability of data and the need to standardize digital identity on a continental level.
During the workshop, MCIT discussed the Egyptian experience in data governance and the recent national achievements in this domain. The Ministry shared experiences with participating African countries, particularly focusing on topics related to data classification and exchange among government agencies.
The African Union was established in 2002. It works to promote international cooperation among African states within the framework of the United Nations. Egypt staunchly supports the African Union’s endeavors to enhance cooperation among African countries in ICT-related fields, viewing it as a means to strengthen regional ties and facilitate the achievement of development goals across the continent. Key areas of collaboration between MCIT and the AU encompass digital transformation, AI, infrastructure, and the formulation of ICT-related strategies and policies.
