Digital4Development is the name of the strategy which was presented by the European Commission on Thursday 4 May to provide a harmonised framework for integrating digital technologies into the EU's development policy, in order to strengthen its work in this area. The Commission believes the strategy provides the means for contributing to the Universal Sustainable Development goals (SDG) set out by the UN in September 2015.
The proposed strategy translates the EU's commitment to strengthening support for the development of technologies and digital services in developing countries, especially in Africa. It is based on four key areas: - the promotion of access to affordable and secure broadband connectivity and to digital infrastructure, including the necessary regulatory reforms; - the promotion of digital literacy and skills; - the fostering of digital entrepreneurship and job creation; - and the promotion of the use of digital technologies as an enabler for sustainable development.
The strategy will be used for Africa first and foremost in order to reduce the digital divide in this continent – a continent with which the EU wants to strengthen its strategic partnership (see EUROPE 11781).
The Commission expects that digitalisation in Africa will offer investment opportunities and will enable productivity and job creation to be boosted. It also expects that it will enable the empowerment of women and girls, the strengthening of democratic governance and transparency, and progress in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, governance, education and health. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)