LocationsNew regional initiative and flagship policy report provide a roadmap for scaling safe, trusted and inclusive digital systems across Africa
New UNDP Accelerator to help African countries scale trusted digital public infrastructure
June 29, 2026
New York, 26 June 2026 – Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI), a regional initiative that will help African countries on their digital transformation journey. Held during UN Open Source Week in New York City, the launch also marked the release of a new flagship policy report on the potential of DPI as a leapfrog catalyst.
As African countries continue to harness digital technologies to improve people’s lives and livelihoods, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is increasingly becoming a foundational enabler for strengthening public service delivery, expanding economic opportunities, and supporting regional integration.
The report highlights both the progress made and the opportunity ahead. Mobile phone subscriptions have grown from 25 million in 2001 to more than one billion today, yet more than 500 million Africans still lack a verifiable digital identity and over 80 percent of workers remain in the informal economy. It argues that stronger DPI can help close these gaps while unlocking the estimated US$450 billion opportunity presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The report explores how countries can move from fragmented digital initiatives to connected systems that deliver impact at scale while creating the foundations for responsible AI adoption.
The Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure is UNDP's regional platform for supporting countries throughout the DPI lifecycle. Through technical expertise, policy support and strategic partnerships, the programme will help governments assess digital readiness, strengthen governance and safeguards, enhance institutional capacity, mobilize investment and develop bankable national programmes that can be implemented and scaled.
Speaking at the launch, Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa, emphasized the importance of turning ambition into implementation.
The biggest barrier to scaling Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa is not political will. It is the lack of structural financing and investment-ready national projects. AA4DPI is designed to help close that gap.Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa
Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, highlighted the opportunity to build on the momentum already underway across the continent.
Digital Public Infrastructure adoption is gaining momentum across Africa. The opportunity now is to connect fragmented efforts into coherent ecosystems, strengthen institutional capacity and align investment behind national and regional priorities.Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub
Released alongside the programme launch, Digital Public Infrastructure in Africa: A Leapfrog Catalyst for Inclusive Growth and Prosperity provides practical recommendations for governments, regional institutions, development partners and the private sector to accelerate DPI across Africa. Drawing on evidence and experiences from across the continent, the report examines the governance, universal DPI safeguards, financing, institutional capacity and partnerships needed to build trusted digital systems that improve public services, expand economic opportunity and support long-term sustainable development.
About the Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI)
The Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure (AA4DPI) is a regional initiative jointly led by UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa and the UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub. The programme supports African countries in designing, implementing and scaling trusted, interoperable and inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure through technical assistance, policy support, capacity development and strategic partnerships.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with experts and partners in 170 countries and territories, UNDP helps nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
About the UNDP Regional Programme for Africa
The Regional Programme for Africa is UNDP's flagship continental programme, supporting African countries in addressing shared challenges and advancing the priorities of the African Union and other regional institutions.
The Regional Programme for Africa 2026–2029 is anchored in the African Union's Agenda 2063, including its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan, and aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029. It complements national development efforts by leveraging regional institutions, partnerships and platforms to address transboundary challenges, unlock shared opportunities and scale impact.
For media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu
Regional Communications and External Engagement Specialist
UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org
+251 98 065 4949
Ayda Labassi
Digital Communications Specialist
UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
ayda.labassi@undp.org
+251 95 445 0849