Digital Transformation in Africa: AI Cluster 3IA Côte d'Azur at the Heart of the EU-Africa Dialogue

Last May, in Nairobi, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs announced the creation of the "Cluster AI Africa Forward" network, bringing together Inria and the nine French AI Clusters alongside institutions from 7 African countries.

In this context, Diana Sebbar, Director of AI Cluster 3IA Côte d'Azur, had the honor of moderating the panel discussion "Digital Transformation in Africa: Challenges, Perspectives and Avenues for EU-Africa Collaboration", held last week as part of Université Côte d'Azur's International Digital Week.

With nearly 70% of its population under the age of 30 and a particularly tech-savvy youth, the African continent already stands out as a vast market for major global digital players. Amid structural challenges and considerable innovation potential, numerous opportunities exist for the continent to establish itself as a major player in global digital transformation.

Following the keynote address by Alioune Sall, former Senegalese Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, who presented the vision behind Senegal's technological New Deal, a rich exchange took place between panelists and an engaged audience on the conditions needed for Africa to reach a new stage in the development of its digital ecosystem.

The discussions highlighted the importance of building lasting partnerships between African and European stakeholders, grounded in a co-construction approach, around several priorities:
▸ Promoting the circulation of skills to strengthen talent integration and development in the African market;
▸ Pooling infrastructure to facilitate scientific collaboration between the two continents;
▸ Establishing governance and a regulatory framework that supports the development of a sovereign, inclusive digital and AI ecosystem, tailored to the needs and realities of African territories.

Learn more about AI Cluster 3IA Côte d'Azur