New York, 26 June 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will present the Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI) and launch its flagship policy paper, Digital public infrastructure in Africa: A leapfrog catalyst for inclusive growth and prosperity, during a high-level event held as part of UN Open Source Week.

As African countries navigate tightening public resources alongside growing digital opportunities, digital public infrastructure (DPI) is becoming an increasingly important foundation for inclusive growth, efficient public services and regional integration. Built on digital identity, digital payments and data exchange, DPI enables governments, businesses and citizens to interact more securely and effectively while expanding access to services and economic opportunities.

Jointly led by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa and the Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, AA4DPI helps countries move beyond fragmented pilots towards sovereign, scalable and inclusive DPI systems that deliver tangible development outcomes. The programme takes a people-centred, use-case-driven approach, focusing on Africa's priority development challenges, including health, youth livelihoods, agriculture and climate, social protection and digital trade, with particular emphasis on creating opportunities for the continent's 800 million young people. As a catalytic partner, UNDP supports countries in assessing digital readiness, strengthening institutional coordination and governance, embedding safeguards by design, deploying technical expertise, and connecting national efforts with continental peer learning and financing opportunities.

The event will also feature the launch of the policy paper, which examines how digital public infrastructure can accelerate inclusive growth and prosperity across Africa and highlights practical approaches to designing interoperable, people-centred digital systems that respond to national development priorities.

Event details

Event: Advancing Digital Public Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth in Africa

Date: Friday, 26 June 2026

Location: One Madison avenue, New York, United States

Registration (required): Fill this form.

Media opportunities

Journalists attending in person will have the opportunity to:

• Attend the presentation of the Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI) and the launch of the flagship policy paper
• Hear from UNDP leadership and technical experts on the role of digital public infrastructure in advancing inclusive growth and regional integration
• Interview UNDP experts on how countries can move from fragmented digital initiatives towards sovereign, scalable and inclusive DPI systems

Journalists unable to attend in person may:

• Access the digital version of the policy paper and related media materials on UNDP website
• Receive post-event photographs
• Request interviews with UNDP experts, subject to availability

About AA4DPI

The Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI) is a UNDP programme jointly led by the Regional Bureau for Africa and the Digital and AI Hub. The Accelerator supports African countries in developing sovereign, scalable and inclusive digital public infrastructure through technical expertise, institutional strengthening, policy support and investment facilitation.

Media contact

Ayda Labassi, Digital Communications Specialist, Regional Programme for Africa, UNDP RSCA, ayda.labassi@undp.org