On 18 June 2025, Research ICT Africa in partnership with the AI4D Africa Network and the D4D Network, hosts a T20 workshop in Johannesburg to shape African priorities in global digital policy dialogue.
This high-level event brings together leading voices from African think tanks, international development partners, and the T20 knowledge community to deliberate on the G20 Digital Economy Working Group’s agenda under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. The workshop aims to strengthen African contributions to global governance debates and build a shared, evidence-based position on digital transformation, data governance, and AI.
The day’s programme is structured around three critical sessions:
- Digital Public Infrastructure and the African Digital Transformation, exploring how the continent can develop inclusive, interoperable, and rights-respecting DPI strategies rooted in local needs and regional integration goals.
- Regional and Global AI Governance Models for Just AI in Africa, examining practical steps towards enforcing ethical AI principles, redressing data injustices, and ensuring Africa’s meaningful participation in global AI standard-setting.
- Operationalising the African Digital Transformation Policy Frameworks, focusing on policy harmonisation, multi-stakeholder approaches, and global partnerships that can support Africa’s digital growth.
Key speakers include Loise Ochanda, International Development Research Centre, Dr Alison Gillwald and Teki Akuetteh, co-chairs of the T20 Digital Transformation Task Force, Pria Chetty, Dr Scott Timcke, Dr Sandra Makumbifora and Liz Orembo of RIA; Pamla Gopaul of AUDA-NEPAD; Leonida Mutuku of the Local Development Research Institute; Prof Ntsibane Ntlatlapa, WITS Link Centre; Dr Melisa Omino of the Centre for Intellectual Property and IP Law; Dr Winston Ojenge, African Centre for Technology Studies; Mark Gaffley, Global Centre on AI Governance; Patricia Ainembabazi, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa and Amb Lavina Ramkissoon, AU_ASRIC, AU6RG.
The workshop will culminate in a collective effort to draft and release a statement to the G20, highlighting African priorities and recommendations. This statement is intended to feed into the G20 deliberations at the T20 Mid-Term Conference and influence broader discussions on digital cooperation and governance.
