COMESA and the World Bank have officially opened the first-ever IDEA Annual Digital Forum, bringing together policymakers, regulators, development partners, and private sector innovators to drive a more inclusive and integrated digital economy across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Held under the World Bank-funded Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme, the three-day forum is fostering collaboration on critical issues such as:
✅ AI governance
✅ Cross-border data flows
✅ Digital infrastructure development
✅ Regulatory harmonization
✅ Digital inclusion
Speaking at the opening, COMESA Secretary General H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe emphasized that digital transformation requires coordinated action beyond national borders through shared infrastructure, interoperable systems, and strong public-private partnerships.
The forum brings together IDEA Phase I countries, including Zambia, DRC, Malawi, and Angola, while welcoming Eswatini, Tanzania, and Madagascar ahead of their participation in Phase II.
The ultimate goal: ensuring that digital opportunities are affordable, safe, and accessible to all, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities.
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