THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has entered into a strategic partnership with Denmark-based digital solutions provider cBrain to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. The collaboration, announced on Thursday, is set to bridge the digital divide, foster inclusive growth, and enhance resilience in African communities through innovative and scalable digital solutions.
The partnership combines cBrain’s advanced digital expertise with UNDP’s extensive experience in sustainable development and digital governance. Together, the organisations aim to drive long-term impacts across Africa, focusing on key areas crucial for the continent’s digital future: digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, resilience building, and capacity development.
Targeting core areas for digital growth
A central part of the partnership will be the creation of a ‘Process Library’ at the UNDP Resilience Hub in Nairobi. This platform will serve as a repository for developing and scaling best practices in digital solutions for governments across Africa, emphasising inclusivity, economic growth, and resilience.
The collaboration will focus on several critical goals, including:
- Enhancing e-governance to improve public service delivery, ensuring that governments can meet citizens’ needs more efficiently and transparently.
- Expanding digital financial inclusion to provide underserved populations with access to financial services, fostering economic growth and empowering marginalised communities.
- Integrating digital tools into climate resilience and disaster risk reduction strategies to help Africa adapt to environmental challenges.
- Building capacity by equipping government officials and civil society organisations with essential digital skills to drive the transformation.
Through these initiatives, the partnership aims to not only boost governance but also promote knowledge sharing to spread digital best practices across the continent.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa Director, underscored the importance of digital solutions for Africa’s development: ‘Digital is the lifeline to opportunity in Africa, and it should not remain a luxury. With the right partners like Denmark and cBrain, we can expand critical access to information and education, and unlock innovation at scale, thus bridging divides and empowering millions to shape a more equal and prosperous future in Africa.’
Stephan Schönemann, the Danish Ambassador in Nairobi, echoed the commitment, highlighting that the collaboration aligns with Denmark’s new Africa strategy. ‘This partnership reflects Denmark’s emphasis on technology, public-private partnerships, democracy, and knowledge sharing,’ Schönemann said.
The partnership will also focus on integrating AI-driven tools and providing technical assistance to African governments. By targeting key projects in selected African countries, cBrain and UNDP aim to empower governments with the tools and knowledge to drive digital innovation effectively.
Per Tejs Knudsen, CEO of cBrain, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: ‘We are excited to collaborate with UNDP to drive digital transformation in Africa. Our mission is to empower governments and citizens with standard digital solutions and best practices from our work with governments around the world. This future partnership will enable us to make a significant impact on the lives of people in Africa.’
The partnership comes at a critical time for the continent, aligning with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy and supporting the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Africa continues its push for digital transformation, this collaboration stands as a model for international cooperation in advancing digital governance.
By combining the expertise of UNDP and cBrain, the partnership promises to be a game-changer for Africa’s digital future. The collaboration is poised to empower African governments and citizens, creating lasting change across the continent. With a shared focus on inclusivity, resilience, and capacity-building, the partnership sets a clear path for Africa’s digital transformation journey.
