INITIATIVE FOR DIGITAL AFRICA UNLOCKS FUTURE INTERNET BENEFITS
After more than four years of intensive and prolific work that started in 2018, GFA successfully completed the Policy and Regulatory Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA). This was a technical assistance project, which was implemented in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) on the basis of funding by the European Union (EU). Its overall objective was to foster universally accessible and affordable broadband across the continent in order to unlock future benefits of internet based services for more than 1,2 billion African citizens.
PRIDA was a joint initiative of the AU, the EU, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that enabled the African continent to leverage the benefits of digitalization by addressing various dimensions of broadband demand and supply in Africa and building the capacities of AU Member States in terms of internet governance.
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A team of GFA experts assisted AUC in two out of three outputs: Output 2 made great efforts to enhance a continental legal and regulatory monitoring & evaluation system, and to foster better understanding and cooperation among telecommunications regulatory authorities, public authorities and civil society regarding the cross-cutting use of ICT. Output 3 improved the capacity of African stakeholders to actively participate in global internet governance. Output 1, improving predictable spectrum allocation, licensing, and management including the treatment of harmful interferences and pricing, was implemented by ITU.
The project team worked towards advancing internet governance on the continent, operationalizing AUC's digital transformation strategy for key sectors, and promoting the harmonization of digital and data policies across the continent. In the four years of the project, it achieved significant results in shaping the digital landscape of Africa and fostering a conducive environment for innovation and growth. To this end, the project has paved the way for a more inclusive and prosperous digital future for the continent.
