The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a white paper detailing a series of recommendations to support the new Digital Transformation with Africa initiative announced by President Biden during the U.S.-Africa Business Forum, the flagship private sector component of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.
Through the U.S. Chamber’s Digital Economy Task Force, organized under the Chamber’s U.S.-Africa Business Center (USAfBC), the Chamber and its members have advanced a series of recommendations, highlighting global best practices essential to digital transformation, and emphasizing the private sector’s shared commitment to accelerating the digital economy for African nations and their citizens. The White Paper [link] offers recommendations and opportunities for public-private partnerships under the three core pillars of digital economy and infrastructure, human capital development, and the digital enabling environment.
“The Chamber welcomes the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus on partnering for Digital Transformation with Africa through this new initiative, which marks a bold commitment to support the continent’s next generation of growth through the undeniable power of the digital economy,” said Kendra Gaither, Vice President of the U.S-Africa Business Center. “The private sector is equally committed to supporting both this new initiative and the African Union’s longstanding strategy to increase access, connectivity, skills building and an improved regulatory climate to enable every business to thrive.”
“Digital Transformation is critical to sustainable, resilient and equitable economic growth,” said Charles Murito, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google. “On behalf of the US Chamber’s Digital Economy Task Force, I am thrilled to see the administration prioritize the sector as an enabler for deepening two-way trade and investment, bolstering Africa’s role in the global economy, and scaling innovation and entrepreneurship to drive shared prosperity.”
The U.S.-Africa Business Center’s Digital Economy Task Force advocates for the development of robust digital economies, including in the e-commerce and creative sectors, and promotes the enabling policy environment that fosters innovation, supports advanced manufacturing, telehealth, seamless flow of data, and a connected financial services industry. Chaired by Google and supported by a broad cross-section of companies in diverse economic sectors, the Task Force is ready to draw upon its members’ collective expertise and convening power to unlock the enormous potential of Africa’s digital future.
