Addis Ababa, 6 November 2026 (ECA) - Ministers urge faster implementation of ICT projects under PIDA to power Africa’s digital transformation

African ministers have called for the accelerated implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) projects under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), signalling a continent-wide push to place digital infrastructure at the centre of Africa’s economic transformation.

The call came at the Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (STC-CICT-6), held in Libreville, Gabon, from 26 to 30 October 2026, under the leadership of the Republic of Ghana, Chair of the Bureau.

Meeting on 29 and 30 October in a ministerial session chaired by Samuel Nartey George, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, the ministers reiterated their shared vision of leveraging the potential of digital and emerging technologies to drive Africa’s socio-economic transformation, foster inclusive growth, enhance digital sovereignty and support sustainable development across the continent.

They urged member States to accelerate the implementation of ICT projects of the Second PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA-PAP 2) — the continental blueprint whose projects are meant to connect economies and people across borders.

The ministers also acknowledged and commended the support of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and other partners to African Union projects and programmes.

Addressing the meeting of experts ahead of the ministerial session, Robert Lisinge, Director of the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Development Division of ECA, said that in response to growing demand from member States, ECA has made digital transformation a priority and is supporting policy analysis, capacity building and technical assistance on responsible artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital identity, data governance, connectivity and emerging technologies, in close collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC).

Mr. Lisinge underscored the need for the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, ECA and other partners to support member States in building regional data centres, particularly those that are part of PIDA, and to integrate energy and digitalization policies — a pairing that is increasingly seen as critical, as data centres and connectivity depend on reliable, affordable power.

In that context, he pointed to the launch of the Global Grids Accelerator initiative by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in September 2026, which provides a platform for UN organizations to assist in the development of electricity grids in support of Africa’s digital transformation.

The outcomes of the Libreville session send a clear message: digital infrastructure — from data centres to cross-border connectivity — is now firmly on the continent’s list of development priorities, with ministers looking to PIDA-PAP 2 and partners such as ECA to turn plans into delivered projects.

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org