At GITEX Africa 2024 in Marrakech, TechAfrica News had an insightful conversation with Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, who shared his vision and insights on fostering a digital revolution across the continent. In a detailed dialogue, he discussed the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, the challenges of digital transformation, and the future of health tech and AI in Africa.
Koné emphasized the significance of the event, noting the unique convergence of stakeholders from across the globe, which fosters a vibrant environment for innovation and collaboration. He highlighted how valuable it is to see the public and private sectors represented, alongside international participants from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Akim Benamara: Bringing together the public and private sectors aligns with Smart Africa’s DNA. Does this make you optimistic about events like this?
Lacina Koné: Yes, definitely. This multi-stakeholder approach is central to Smart Africa’s mission. We bring together the public sector—including heads of state, ministers, regulators, and agencies—and the private sector, both our members and non-members. GITEX provides a platform to discuss and align on key initiatives, making it very promising for our objectives.
When discussing the challenges of digital transformation, Koné highlighted the need for agile regulation to support innovation and economic development. He stressed the importance of creating policies that act as enablers rather than obstacles to technological advancements. According to Koné, whether the focus is on connectivity, innovation, transformation, or acceleration, it all ties back to having agile, supportive policies and regulations that facilitate a conducive environment for digital growth.
“When we look at digital transformation, encompassing innovations like AI and the metaverse, the main challenge boils down to Agile Regulation. Regulations need to be enablers of innovation rather than obstacles. Whether we talk about connectivity, innovation, transformation, or acceleration, it’s all tied to having agile, supportive policies and regulations. Where there’s political will, there’s a way to create a conducive environment for these technologies to thrive”
—Lacina Koné, Chief Executive Officer, Smart Africa
Koné also touched on the newly launched digital health blueprint by Smart Africa, developed in collaboration with Rwanda. This blueprint aims to revolutionize healthcare delivery across the continent through innovative health tech solutions. He explained that the blueprint addresses governance, operationalization, workforce capacity, and standards to ensure the effective implementation of digital health technologies.
Discussing the impact of AI on digital transformation, Koné emphasized the transformative potential of AI in enhancing communication and service delivery, particularly in underserved regions. He noted that AI’s capabilities extend beyond technological advancements, offering significant social and economic benefits.
“AI is indeed transformative. It can revolutionize how we process vast amounts of data and enhance service delivery. For example, AI can bridge the digital divide by enabling people to interact with digital platforms in their native languages, much like how the Disability Act improved accessibility in physical spaces. AI can also enhance government and private sector efficiency, bringing significant social and economic benefits.”
—Lacina Koné, Chief Executive Officer, Smart Africa
Koné also elaborated on Smart Africa’s vision of creating a single digital market in Africa, focusing on interoperability and policy harmonization to facilitate seamless business operations across the continent. Reflecting on the progress made in policy harmonization, Koné shared success stories
Lacina Koné’s insights at GITEX Africa 2024 emphasize the crucial role of collaboration and innovative policies in driving Africa’s digital transformation. By focusing on inclusive growth, agile regulation, and technological advancements like AI and digital health, Smart Africa is leading the charge toward a connected and prosperous continent.
