Smart Africa and BOAD join forces to boost digital transformation in West Africa

Smart Africa and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) have entered into a partnership that will see them collaborate in activities to help implement digital transformation projects in Africa.

The signing of this partnership also signals BOAD formal joining of the Smart Africa Alliance as a partner institution, the latest in that category that includes the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank, among others.

In a statement to announce the partnership, it noted that Smart Africa will work specifically with the West African Bank of Development (BOAD) with potential funding to support the development and implementation of its digital transformation projects that directly involve BOAD member countries, namely the members of the West African Monetary and Economic Union (WAMEU).

These include support for the development of digital infrastructure, including cross-border broadband networks and data centers in the UEMOA zone, technical skills development, digital literacy and capacity building through the expansion of the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), collaborate on fundraising activities to implement projects identified as being of mutual interest, support the development of e-commerce in the UEMOA zone through the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) project, aligned with the implementation of the ZLECAf, and finally foster the innovation ecosystem by promoting the Startups toolkit for the benefit of our member countries according to their level of advancement.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Lacina Koné, DG/CEO of Smart Africa said: “By joining forces with BOAD, we are combining our expertise and resources to pave the way for a digital revolution that will empower the West African nations and their citizens. We are celebrating our 10 years anniversary this year and it's through such partnerships that faster and effectual accomplishment of our continent’s digital agenda will be achieved”.

BOAD’s entry into this partnership is in line with its Djoliba strategic plan which focuses on 6 main areas: regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, digital public platforms, digital financial services, digital governance, and entrepreneurship.

In this regard, Mr. Serge EKUE emphasized that “The West African Development Bank’s (BOAD) commitment is to Connect, Innovate, and Transform which highlights the Bank’s interest in joining the Smart Africa Alliance as a financing partner to stimulate investments tailored to digital projects with a specific impact on WAEMU countries”.

Furthermore, the President of BOAD commended the commitment of all stakeholders to finding concrete and innovative solutions for economic growth through the creation of alliances, partnerships, and unions that promote sub-regional and by extension African integration, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of our populations.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye