Towards an Inclusive Digital Future: An African-Centric Approach to the United Nations Global Digital Compact

Introduction

Following the political declaration adopted at the UN’s 75th anniversary, Secretary-General António Guterres proposed a Global Digital Compact (GDC) in his report “Our Common Agenda”in September 2021. The Compact was agreed upon at the 2024 Summit of the Future through a technology track that engaged diverse stakeholders: governments, the United Nations, the private sector, civil society and academia.¹ The GDC, set up under the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, envisions an “open, free, and secure digital sphere for all,” achieved through shared principles. ² It aims to bridge the digital divide, prevent internet fragmentation, and empower individual data choices that allow for the protection of human rights and the promotion of a trustworthy internet.³ This is an attempt to curate a consensus around global governance of digital technology and artificial intelligence through leveraging existing digital cooperation.⁴

This blog provides an overview of the background and purpose of the Global Digital Compact. It then summarizes the key components of the GDC. Finally, it evaluates the GDC within the African context, assessing its compatibility with the continent’s nuanced societal and technological development needs.

Why a Global Digital Compact?

The Global Digital Compact is an output of the Secretary- General report of “Our Common Agenda”.⁵ The objective of the GDC proposal was to safeguard the online space and strengthen governance based on shared principles for an “open, free and secure digital future for all”.⁶This proposal was formulated against the backdrop of prevailing issues that relate to digital transformation such as the protection of privacy and human rights, the digital divide and data governance.⁷Additionally, it aimed to expound on the existing discourse regarding the inclusion of AI within public policy, with the view of regulating the use, development and impact of AI. ⁸ The aim was to create a systematic approach to multilateral digital governance that would address the digital fragmentation observed globally, where different states have developed differing national and regional strategies to meaningfully engage in the global digital ecosystem.⁹ Multilateral governance in the digital realm is justified by the need for universal human values to guide digital regulation. ¹⁰ Unilateral approaches by regions, nations, or industries are insufficient. ¹¹ Therefore, a global, cooperative, and multistakeholder approach is essential to prevent existing digital inequalities from becoming entrenched.¹² Alignment allows for the actualisation of regulation to address shared societal global challenges and allow for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.¹³

Deconstructing the GDC: Objectives, Principles, Commitments and Actions

Objectives

The Global Digital Compact aims to tackle critical digital landscape issues. It seeks to eliminate digital technology access disparities, ensuring all individuals, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, can benefit from the digital economy. ¹⁴ It endeavours to enable everyone, including marginalized groups, to fully participate in and benefit from the digital economy.¹⁵ This initiative emphasizes the need for an inclusive, open, safe, and secure digital environment that respects and protects human rights, creating a space where all can engage without fear of discrimination, harm, or exploitation.¹⁶ It advocates for responsible, equitable, and interoperable data management approaches, including frameworks that ensure privacy, security, and transparency while promoting the ethical and trustworthy use of data.¹⁷ Recognizing rapid AI development, the initiative highlights the need for international governance frameworks that prioritize human welfare, ethical considerations, and the responsible deployment of AI to benefit all of humanity.¹⁸

Principles

The Global Digital Compact is founded on principles rooted in international law, with a steadfast commitment to equity and inclusivity. At its core is the principle of Inclusive Participation, ensuring the participation of all states and stakeholders to close digital divides and foster an equitable digital environment where diverse voices shape policies.¹⁹ The Compact is anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, leveraging technology to eradicate poverty and address the unique needs of developing countries. ²⁰ It emphasizes the protection of all human rights, both online and offline, harnessing digital technologies to promote civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.²¹ Empowering women and girls is essential for the Compact, as it seeks to close the gender digital divide by promoting their full participation in the digital space while addressing the barriers they face. ²² The Compact also recognizes the importance of environmental sustainability, as digital technologies can advance sustainability while minimizing negative impacts on natural resources.²³

Crucially, the Compact commits to Equitable Access, ensuring accessible and affordable data and technologies to enable all individuals to participate fully in the digital world.²⁴ Finally, it underscores the importance of Interoperability, advancing seamless communication across digital systems to facilitate development and effective governance.²⁵

Commitments and Actions

The Global Digital Compact outlines a comprehensive set of commitments and actions to be undertaken by stakeholders by 2030. ²⁶ This approach aims to achieve universal connectivity, equip individuals with essential digital literacy and skills, develop safe and inclusive digital public goods, and establish responsible AI governance frameworks.

Firstly, the Compact commits to connecting all individuals to the internet through strong partnerships and increased financial investments. This includes setting targets for universal connectivity and implementing innovative financing mechanisms to reach underserved populations.²⁷ Secondly, the stakeholders will establish national digital skills strategies to maximize the coverage of basic digital skills while also advancing intermediate or advanced skills. This recognizes the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary tools to navigate the digital landscape effectively. ²⁸ Furthermore, the Compact acknowledges that open-source software, open data, and interoperable systems empower societies to direct technologies toward their development needs. Stakeholders commit to developing safe, secure, inclusive, and interoperable digital public infrastructure that can deliver services at scale. ²⁹ Additionally, the Compact includes a commitment to advancing responsible AI governance frameworks that prioritize transparency, accountability, and human oversight throughout the technology lifecycle—from design to deployment.³⁰ Finally, the Compact emphasizes promoting sustainability across the life cycle of digital technologies by implementing measures that increase resource efficiency while addressing environmental challenges.³¹

Is the GDC fit for purpose within the African continent?

To ensure the GDC effectively addresses Africa’s unique challenges and avoids perpetuating Western normative dominance,³² it must incorporate actionable points aligned with the continent’s socio-economic realities and aspirations.³³ This requires a foundation of inclusivity, equity, and historical awareness, fostering a synergistic relationship with regional instruments like the African Union Artificial Intelligence Strategy (AU- AI Strategy). This synergy is crucial for the GDC’s effective implementation and actualization within the African context. Key actionable points should facilitate this synergy and ensure the GDC’s relevance and impact on the continent. The following section will explore this synergy between the Global Digital Compact and the African Union’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy, first by assessing their synergistic effects and then by outlining actionable points to enhance their collaboration and impact within the African context.

Synergistic Opportunity ?

The Global Digital Compact and the African Union’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy offer a unique opportunity to cultivate synergy in shaping a future where digital technologies empower and benefit all, particularly within the African context. Analyzing their potential alignment reveals key areas for collaboration and mutual reinforcement.

Objective 5 of the GDC, focusing on international cooperation, finds a natural counterpart in the AU-AI Strategy’s emphasis on regional collaboration and capacity building. Both frameworks recognize that tackling the complex challenges of AI governance requires shared knowledge, resources, and best practices. This synergy can facilitate knowledge transfer, support the development of regional centers of excellence, and empower African nations to take ownership of their technological development.

Alignment of principles is crucial for effective collaboration. Both the GDC and AU-AI Strategy champion responsible AI development, ethical considerations, and human-centered approaches. However, nuanced differences in their interpretations may exist. For instance, data protection and governance, highlighted in Objective 4 of the GDC, are also central to the AU-AI Strategy. Analyzing these specific priorities and implementation strategies can uncover common ground and areas where mutual learning can enhance data governance frameworks.

A human rights-based approach is a cornerstone of both frameworks. Objective 3 of the GDC and the AU-AI Strategy both underscore the importance of human rights in AI regulation. Exploring the AU-AI Strategy’s specific position on human rights and its potential alignment with the GDC’s broader framework can strengthen protections and ensure AI systems respect fundamental rights within the African context.

By capitalizing on these convergences, the GDC and AU-AI Strategy can create a powerful synergy. This collaboration can foster a more inclusive and equitable digital future for Africa, driven by responsible AI development that aligns with the continent’s unique needs and aspirations. While direct academic comparisons are limited, exploring resources like the AU-AI Strategy document and analyses of the GDC’s implications for developing nations can provide valuable context to further understand and enhance this synergy.

Actionable Points ?

The following actionable points can be derived from the context of public financing, digital public goods, democratic governance, data as a public good, and human rights revitalization.³⁴

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa require substantial investment in foundational digital infrastructure to leverage the benefits of digitalization. The GDC should advocate for a dedicated funding mechanism, such as a proposed Digital Development Tax, to support public digital ecosystems. ³⁵This funding is crucial to enable African nations to build the necessary data and AI capabilities that are currently lacking due to limited fiscal resources and rising debt burdens.³⁶By ensuring that financial resources are allocated to digital infrastructure, the GDC can help bridge the digital divide and empower African nations to participate meaningfully in the global digital economy.

The GDC must emphasize the development of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) tailored to local contexts, which can help foster innovation and inclusivity. Initiatives like the Modular Open-Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) illustrate how open-source solutions can provide low-cost, effective services in areas such as digital identity management, particularly beneficial for African countries. ³⁷By promoting DPGs, the GDC can facilitate the creation of digital resources that are accessible and relevant to the needs of African populations, thereby enhancing local capacities and reducing dependency on external solutions.

The GDC must address concerns regarding the fragmentation of the internet, particularly as geopolitical tensions influence digital governance³⁸. A unified approach that promotes interoperability and equitable access is vital for African nations to participate fully in the global digital economy.³⁹ This requires a commitment to internationalizing governance structures and ensuring that African voices are included in decision-making processes. By fostering a collaborative governance model, the GDC can help mitigate the risks associated with digital fragmentation and ensure that African interests are represented on the global stage. ⁴⁰

For Africa to realize the potential of data as a public good, robust governance frameworks must be established.⁴¹ The GDC should advocate for policies that facilitate data sharing while protecting community rights and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing from data utilization.⁴² This aligns with ongoing discussions in Africa about harmonizing data governance across borders to enhance economic cooperation and development.⁴³ By prioritizing equitable data governance, the GDC can help African nations harness the power of data for sustainable development while safeguarding the rights of their citizens. ⁴⁴

The success of DPGs in Africa will depend on effective partnerships between public entities and private sector innovators. ⁴⁵The GDC should promote models that encourage co-investment in digital infrastructure while fostering local tech ecosystems capable of sustaining these initiatives over time.⁴⁶ By facilitating collaboration between public and private sectors, the GDC can help create a conducive environment for innovation and ensure that digital solutions are developed in alignment with local needs and contexts. ⁴⁷

The GDC must incorporate a comprehensive human rights framework that addresses emerging challenges in the digital landscape. This includes recognizing new categories of rights pertinent to digital environments, such as data privacy, algorithmic accountability, and protection from corporate malfeasance.⁴⁸ Such frameworks are essential for ensuring that digital transformation does not exacerbate existing inequalities but instead fosters inclusive growth. By embedding human rights considerations into the GDC, it can serve as a tool for promoting social justice and equity in the digital age.⁴⁹

Conclusion: Fit for Purpose?

In conclusion, while the GDC holds promise for advancing Africa’s digital agenda, its success will depend on its ability to adapt to local contexts and address specific challenges faced by African nations. By prioritizing public financing, promoting democratic governance, maximizing data utility, and reinforcing human rights protections, the GDC can become a transformative tool for achieving equitable digital development across the continent. The alignment with frameworks like the AU-AI Strategy will further enhance its relevance and effectiveness in fostering a sustainable digital future for Africa. This approach not only decolonizes the digital governance landscape but also empowers African nations to reclaim their agency in shaping their digital futures.

 

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