Champion Innovation and Digital Transformation
Objective :
Expand digital access for 1 million African SMEs and entrepreneurs by 2030 through innovation
and digital trade platforms.
Activities :
- Regional E-Commerce Platforms
- By 2027, develop 3 integrated regional e-commerce platforms connecting African
SMEs, entrepreneurs, and creative businesses to continental and global markets.
- Integrate AI-driven analytics, digital payment solutions, and logistics tracking systems
to streamline trade and enhance market competitiveness.
- Launch training programs for platform users on digital marketing, compliance, and
cross-border trade processes.
- Support for Fintech, Agritech, and Digital Startups
- Support at least 100 fintech, agritech, and digital startups annually by providing
mentorship, seed funding, incubation, and access to investors.
- Introduce an Innovation Accelerator Program that includes technical workshops, digital
skills training, and investor pitching sessions.
- Implement a startup performance dashboard to track growth, funding, market
penetration, and social impact.
- Innovation Hubs and Incubators
- Establish 20 innovation hubs/incubators across Africa by 2030, targeting urban and
semi-urban areas to foster entrepreneurship, research, and technology adoption.
- Equip hubs with co-working spaces, prototyping labs, and digital resources, supporting
inclusive participation of youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
- Partner with universities, tech companies, and development agencies to ensure hubs
deliver mentorship, innovation competitions, and industry linkages.
- Capacity Building and Digital Skills Development
- Train 5,000 entrepreneurs and SMEs annually in digital transformation, e-commerce,
fintech adoption, and innovation management.
- Launch a Pan-African Digital Innovation Curriculum with online and in-person modules
to standardize skills development across member states.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Sharing
- Develop a Digital Innovation Impact Framework to assess startup growth, platform
adoption, and technology diffusion.
- Publish an annual Innovation and Digital Transformation Report highlighting trends,
success stories, and lessons learned to inform policy and investment decisions.