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Digital public infrastructure in Africa | Our event at UN Open Source Week

Digital rails for sustainable development

June 17, 2026
Banner graphic for UN Open Source Week 2026 with United Nations logos.
Event Details

June 26, 2026

10:00-11:00 EDT

One Madison Avenue, New York

As part of UN Open Source Week, UNDP will present the policy paper Digital public infrastructure in Africa: A leapfrog catalyst for inclusive growth and prosperity and introduce the Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI).

The event will explore how digital public infrastructure (DPI) can advance inclusive growth, strengthen digital sovereignty and improve access to public services across Africa.

Register here.

The programme will feature the launch of the policy paper, examining how digital identity, digital payments and data exchange can provide the foundations for connected public systems and support countries in moving beyond fragmented digital initiatives towards interoperable, people-centred infrastructure designed for scale.

The event will also introduce AA4DPI, a new programme jointly led by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa and the Digital and AI Hub. Designed to support African countries in developing sovereign, safe and inclusive DPI systems that scale basis trust and public value delivery; the Accelerator will provide technical expertise, strengthen institutional coordination, support policy development and help mobilize investment.

Presenting the policy paper alongside the Accelerator, the event will highlight practical approaches to strengthening digital public infrastructure and advancing collaboration in support of Africa's long-term development priorities.

Read our Media advisory.

 

Master of Ceremony (MC):

Fatma Ahmed, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Specialist, UNDP Africa

10:00-10:05

Opening remarks

Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP

10:05-10:10

Global Digital Cooperation: Accelerating DPI

Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, USG and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, ODET

10:10-10:20

Goodwill (video) message:

  • Ms. Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy (I&E), African Union

Goodwill message from Chair of the African Group:

  • H.E. Mr. Chola Milambo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations

Goodwill message from South–South Cooperation:

  • Ms. Petal Gahlot, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
10:20-10:25

Official Launch:

  • Policy Paper: A leapfrog catalyst for inclusive growth and prosperity
  • The Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI)

Group photo and inauguration of the policy paper and AA4DPI

10:25-10:35

Expert briefing on AA4DPI and Policy Paper

  • Fatma Ahmed, DPI Specialist, UNDP
10:35-10:50

High-Level Panel Discussion: Accelerating SDGs with Safe and Inclusive DPI
Moderated by Raja Chandrasekharan, Advisor - DPI Safeguards & Regional Programmes, UNDP
 

  • Honourable Minister Salima Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Sierra Leone
  • CV Madhukar, CEO, Co-Develop
  • Innocent Ephraim, Digital finance specialist

Moderator: Rajarajeshwari Chandrasekharan, DPI Safeguards Specialist, UNDP Digital/DAI Hub

10:50-10:55Q&A
10:55-11:00

Closing remarks and video message

  • Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub